Lok Sabha Debates
Regarding Demands Of Banjara Community In Telangana. on 23 March, 2017
Sixteenth Loksabha an> Title: Regarding demands of Banjara community in Telangana.
SHRI BHEEMRAO B. PATIL (ZAHEERABAD): Hon. Deputy-Speaker, I am thankful to you for giving me an opportunity to raise an urgent matter of public importance.
The Banjaras have a unique culture of their own. This community occupies an important role in the Indian culture. But today, a majority of the people of this community is in vicious cycle of poverty. Many people are in debt trap and they are selling even their baby girls. Some people are even migrating from their area.
Sir, 85 per cent people of this Banjara community are consuming alcohol at an early age. Sixty-seven per cent people of this community are malnourished. They are frequently exposed to the waterborne diseases also.
Sir, today, in the Telangana villages, the Banjara culture, their social system, administration system, economic system and societal values are getting eroded in this globalization era.
Sir, in this regard, I would demand that the Sathguru Sevala Maharaj Jayanti, which is celebrated in Telangana on 15th February, should be celebrated all over India and 15th February should be declared as a public holiday.
There should be 12 per cent reservation for the Banjara community. Similarly, I would also request that the Mathura and Lambadi communities, which presently come under Backward Classes, should be converted into Scheduled Tribe category, which is currently pending with the Chellappa Commission.
Sir, we are grateful that recently the Telangana Government has already sanctioned one acre of land for Banjara Bhawan and Rs. 10 crore for Banjara Bhawan.
Under the Kalyan Laxmi Scheme for new marriage couple, the Telangana Government has increased the amount from Rs. 51,000 in 2016-17 to Rs. 75,116 in 2017-18 to be given to the Banjara Samaj. The Telangana Government has also sanctioned a residential school in each and every Constituency in the State. Thank you.
HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Prof. Ravindra Vishwanath Gaikwad and Shri Bhairon Prasad Mishra are permitted to associate with the issue raised by Shri Bheemrao B. Patil.