44 villages for implementation of report

BANGALORE: The Kannada speaking villagers at 44 villages in Jath taluk in Maharashtra have urged the Centre to implement the Mahajan Committee Recommendations, which suggests to include these villages in Karnataka.The Mahajan Committee stated that these 44 villages should be included in Karnataka since the Maharashtra government was meting out step-motherly treatment towards these villagers and denied them basic facilities like roads, drinking water, education and employment. A delegation led by noted Kannada writer and former president of Kannada Sahitya Parishat Prof Chandrashekar Patil (Champa)under Swabimani Karnataka Vedike has compiled the grievances of these villagers. A detailed report on this will be submitted to Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda, Chairman of the Kannada Development Authority Mukhyamantri Chandru, president of Kannada Sahitya Parishat and chairman of other academies by the end of this month.Speaking to Express, Prof Champa said, “We will demand the state government to take effective measures to safeguard the interests of these Kannada speaking population. We will seek five per cent employment reservation and funds for these border Kannadigas.”Vice-president of Sangli District Agriculture Marketing Committee Mahadev Ankalagi said, “We will meet Gowda and urge him to take necessary measures to solve our problems. The total population of all the villagers is around one lakh . All our demands to the Maharashtra government has fallen on deaf ears.”Ankalagi pointed out that Jathtaluk has around 88 Kannada primary and 21 high schools, where students have studied Kannada as their first language. But they were not being employed in either states, he added.Champa said, “In case the government fails to take enough measures to resolve  their issues, we will pool in support from all pro-Kannada organisations and stage protests.” Umadi, Madgyal, Umarani, Muchandi, Sonyal, Balgav, Basaragi, Jadarboblav, Utagi, Guddapur, Suslad, Sonalagi, Borgi, Sindhur, Nigadi budruk, Ankalagi, Kudalwadi, Lakadewadi, Hospete, Sordi, Badachi, Rawal gundwadi, Untawadi, Gugwad, Jalihal, Siddanath, Badchitanda, Sankh, Karwadi, Dhul Karewadi, Asangi, Asangiturk, Konbargi and Karjagi, are some of the villages,  which wish to be part of  Karnataka.