In a move to aid Brahmin students financially, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has brought in multiple schemes for the community. The Brahmin community, bereaved of financial aids for ages, are now being benefitted by CM Bommai.
Karnataka CM recently introduced a post-matriculation scholarship facility for economically backward Brahmin students. Launched by the Karnataka State Brahmin Development Board (KSBDB), the Sandeepani scholarship will be credited through direct benefit transfer (DBT) into the bank accounts of students. Under the scheme, a total of 9,206 students will be benefitted with Rs 13.77 crore.
Not only Brahmin students, but Bommai also flagged off the Annadata scheme to assist Brahmin farmers financially. Under the Annadata scheme, those seeking help to start an agri-based business will be benefitted. Moreover, the Purushottama self-employment scheme has been introduced to provide loans to the farmers.
Assuring support to Karnataka State Brahmin Development Board, Bommai said, “Brahmins in the IT/BT sector are financially powerful. But, there are many who are economically-backward.”
Economically weak Brahmins in India
The brahmin community has always been considered as well to do community. Despite being economically backward, the community has always been bereaved of financial aids and reservations too. In 2018, the community had also demanded a survey to find out the number of people in the community living in poverty.
Anand Dave, president of the Pune district unit of the Akhil Bharatiya Brahman Mahasangh had said, “It is widely believed that people from the Brahmin community are well-to-do. That is not true. Almost 60-70 per cent Brahmins are poor, especially those living in rural areas.” He also stated that Brahmins make up 8-9 per cent of Maharashtra’s population, which is around 90 lakh.
“The survey will clear the picture regarding the economic status of the Brahmin community. We are not seeking a survey on educational status. Education levels in the community are high, but financially they are not sound. Majority of Brahmins, more so those living in rural parts of the state, are struggling to make ends meet,” he added.
Bommai’s welfare schemes
Despite facing the challenges as same as any other community, the Brahmin community has always been deprived of any welfare schemes. But, Bommai seems to recognise the difficulties faced by the community. However, Karnataka CM has not only considered the challenges faced by the Brahmin community but also other problems in the state. Thus, proving himself as one of the best Chief Ministers time and again, he has launched several welfare schemes for the state.
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CM Bommai, on the occasion of Independence Day, had announced ten welfare schemes across various sectors, such as sports, farming, urban development and others under the Amrith programme. As per the reports, the schemes will cost around Rs 720 crore to the state treasury.
Bommai, on Friday, also directed the officials to start the process of selecting eligible beneficiaries for four lakh homes under various housing schemes. He said, “If the target of four lakh new houses is not approved by the central government, or less houses are approved, the remaining houses will be constructed under the state government’s housing scheme.”
Basavaraj Bommai was installed as the Chief Minister of Karnataka after BS Yediyurappa resigned from the post earlier this year. PM Modi and JP Nadda’s pick, Bommai, is a Lingayat – Karanataka’s dominant caste from North Karnataka.
