MYSURU: Social Welfare Minister H Anjaneya on Wednesday visited Gombegallu and Keredimba settlements,18 km deep inside Biligiri Ranganathaswamy Temple (BRT) tiger reserve limits, in Kollegal, to celebrate the new year with tribals.
He was accompanied by MP R Dhruvanarayana, Hanur MLA R Narendra and district administration and Social Welfare Department officials.
He interacted with the tribal representatives of 80 hamlets at Hanur assembly constituency in Keredimba and stayed in the hut of Basava and Pandamma in Gombegallu at night.
The Minister’s intention was to understand the plight of tribals living inside the forest without basic infrastructure. His visit had gained importance as it was announced in advance and the tribals had pinned their hopes on the minister to provide them basic amenities.
Basava and Pandamma had cleaned their hut and decorated the front with attractive rangolis. “It is unbelievable to see a Minister in our hut. We served upsaaru, ragi ball and roti, honey and sweet potatoes to him,” Basava said. Anjaneya announced `1 crore for the under construction Ambedkar Bhavan in Kollegal town.