Karnataka Bhovi Development Corporation Chairman M. Ramappa on Tuesday directed officials to ensure that all pending benefits and applications of beneficiaries under various schemes of the corporation in Bidar district are disposed of within seven days and a compliance report is submitted.

Chairing a review meeting on the progress of welfare schemes implemented by the Karnataka Bhovi Development Corporation at the Zilla Panchayat Hall in Bidar, Mr. Ramappa said that the Bhovi community remains among the most economically and educationally backward sections of society and requires focused intervention from the government.

The meeting was jointly organised by the district administration, the Zilla Panchayat, the Social Welfare Department and the Karnataka Bhovi Development Corporation. It was followed by an interaction with community leaders.

Mr. Ramappa said that in addition to the State government’s five guarantee schemes, the corporation is implementing eight welfare programmes specifically aimed at improving the socio-economic condition of the community.

“However, many eligible beneficiaries are unable to avail themselves of these schemes due to lack of awareness and educational disadvantages,” he said.

Expressing concern over school dropouts among children belonging to the community, he directed the Education Department to identify students who have discontinued their studies and take the necessary measures to ensure that no child is deprived of education.

He also noted that many members of the Bhovi community depend on occupations related to stone quarrying and earthwork in rocky and hilly areas. Referring to complaints of harassment by certain departments, including Forest, Police and Mining authorities, he said that officials should create awareness about legal provisions and department responsibilities rather than subjecting people to unnecessary hardship.

The corporation chairman also highlighted complaints from beneficiaries regarding difficulties in obtaining loans under government schemes. He said that banks should not insist on conditions such as CIBIL scores, security or guarantors where such requirements are not mandated under government-sponsored welfare programmes.

Beneficiaries facing such issues were advised to approach the corporation’s district manager, the Deputy Commissioner or the Chief Executive Officer of the Zilla Panchayat for redressal.

He instructed Women and Child Development Department officials to visit Bhovi colonies and settlements, promote the formation of women’s self-help groups and ensure that information about welfare schemes reaches eligible families through coordinated efforts among departments.

Mr. Ramappa further announced that 60-day tailoring training centres have been established on a pilot basis in Chitradurga and Mysuru districts to improve the employability of unemployed youth from the community. The initiative will be extended to other districts in the coming days, he added.

During the interaction session, community leaders raised several issues, including seizure of tractors and equipment used by workers engaged in quarrying and earthwork-related occupations, and misuse of caste certificates by people from other communities to obtain benefits meant for Bhovi community members.

Chief Executive Officer of the Zilla Panchayat Girish Badole advised Bhovi Corporation officials to periodically bring beneficiary grievances to the notice of the district administration and coordinate with various departments to ensure effective implementation of welfare schemes.

Later, Mr. Ramappa distributed cheques to beneficiaries.

Superintendent of Police Pradeep Gunti, Karnataka Bhovi Development Corporation general manager Shivaswamy, district manager Prema Sagar, district and taluk-level officials and community leaders were present.