Karnataka Bhovi Development Corporation chairman Ramappa M. on Wednesday directed officials to dispose of all 527 pending applications under various welfare schemes in Kalaburagi district by July 24, while asserting that strict steps have been taken to eliminate middlemen, bribery and delays in the implementation of corporation programmes.

Chairing a progress review meeting of schemes being implemented by the corporation and an interaction with community leaders at the Zilla Panchayat conference hall in Kalaburagi, Mr. Ramappa said that funds under the corporation’s schemes are being transferred directly to bank accounts of beneficiaries, leaving no room for commission or illegal gratification.

“No one should pay even five rupees as bribe,” he said and added that the corporation has tightened its systems to curb corruption and ensure that benefits reached the poorest sections of the Bhovi community.

The meeting was organised jointly by the district administration, the Zilla Panchayat, the Social Welfare Department and the Karnataka Bhovi Development Corporation.

Mr. Ramappa said that the corporation has introduced several welfare measures aimed at poverty alleviation and economic empowerment of the community.

Under the self-employment direct loan scheme, beneficiaries can avail of assistance of ₹1 lakh, ₹50,000 as loan and ₹50,000 as subsidy, for starting small businesses, he said.

“Financial assistance is also being extended for newly introduced sheep and goat rearing schemes, while support of up to ₹1.25 lakh is being provided for dairy-related activities,” he said.

Mr. Ramappa noted that the corporation is also offering assistance of up to ₹4 lakh for the establishment of industrial units and up to ₹2 lakh for business ventures, with subsidy support ranging between 70% and 75%.

“Under the Swavalambi Sarathi scheme, financial assistance of up to ₹4 lakh is being extended for purchase of vehicles,” he said.

For women’s empowerment, the chairman said, the corporation has announced ₹5 lakh assistance to self-help groups under the Prerana scheme. Officials have been instructed to facilitate the registration of 19 new women’s groups in each taluk.

He added that schemes such as Ganga Kalyana and land ownership assistance, each involving support of up to ₹3.75 lakh, are also under implementation.

Expressing displeasure over delays in finalising beneficiary lists in some areas, particularly Chittapur Assembly constituency, Mr. Ramappa pulled up officials over the lack of progress despite repeated follow-up and warned that excuses will not be tolerated.

He advised officials to include two or three additional names in the selection list so that benefits can be passed on immediately to the next eligible person if an application is rejected on technical grounds.

He also came down heavily on banks for harassing poor beneficiaries selected under entrepreneurship and other schemes by insisting on CIBIL score, surety and guarantors before sanctioning loans.

Reminding officials that there is a clear government direction not to impose such conditions on poor applicants under welfare schemes, he instructed them to take up the matter with Lead Bank authorities and resolve the issue without delay.

During the interaction, several community leaders and beneficiaries aired grievances over delays in implementation of schemes.

Responding to a query from retired employees association district president Sharanappa Budugurthi, Mr. Ramappa said that CCTV surveillance has been introduced in offices as part of efforts to improve accountability.

Community leader Mallikarjun criticised the delay in grant of land under the land ownership scheme in Aralagundagi, Nedalagi and Mandyaval villages of Jewargi taluk saying that the matter has remained unresolved for five years.

Taluk-level president of the Bhovi-Waddar community in Kamalapur Govind Waddar said that district officials are not responding to phone calls even months after submission of documents.

A beneficiary, Balappa Bhimsha of Ambalaga village, complained that although a borewell was drilled under the Ganga Kalyana scheme two or three years ago, the motor pump has still not been supplied.

Mr. Ramappa directed the contractor to install the motor pump and ensure electricity connection within 30 days of borewell drilling.

Another community leader from Chincholi sought a special package for poor Bhovi families affected by the increasing use of machinery in stone quarrying, which, he said, is forcing many to migrate to cities such as Mumbai and Hyderabad in search of livelihood.

Mr. Ramappa said that the review meetings are being held to resolve community grievances on the spot and urged community leaders to maintain discipline during discussions so that issues can be addressed effectively.

He also expressed displeasure over the absence of some district-level officers at the meeting and told the concerned to take action against them.

Karnataka Bhovi Development Corporation general manager Shivaswamy, district Panchayat Planning Director Jagadevappa, Joint Director of Social Welfare Department Preeti Doddamani, district manager Maraling Honneguntikar, district-level officers and community representatives were present.