Hubballi: Siddi community has an additional reason to celebrate the New Year, as Social welfare minister H. Anjaneya announced a Rs 52.35 crore package for the development of the community.

The minister stayed overnight at the residence of a tribal couple Kaithan Ghadi and Clara with local Congress leaders in a tribal village at Wada in Uttara Kannada and celebrated New Year. He is also said to have shared a vegetarian meal with them.

He assured the community of the completion of 11 projects in the coming 6 months. It will be an attempt to bring these forest dwellers to the mainstream and improve their educational standards.

He also promised to build a high-tech sports hostel for Siddis. Grants to 100 Siddi women’s self-help groups, drilling free bore wells in their farmland, a hostel for girls and basic amenities including water, drains, electricity, roads and a community hall were announced during his visit.

Residential schools for the children of Siddis in Yallapur and Haliyal taluks will be built, he added.

During this stay, he heard the grievances of the community and held discussions to resolve their issues.