HD Kumaraswamy (File Photo)

BENGALURU: The state government’s move to woo two communities by setting up boards exclusively for them is unlikely to materialise before the Lok Sabha polls.

While chief minister HD Kumaraswamy allocated Rs 200 crore in Budget 2019-20 for a Christian development corporation, the government on Thursday sanctioned a separate Brahmin development board with an allocation of Rs 25 crore. However, no one in the government has any word about when they will be actually set up.

While minority welfare minister BZ Zameer Ahmad Khan said the Christian development corporation is still on paper and has not yet been discussed, the government is not sure who will be in charge of the Brahmin development board.

In the last cabinet briefing, rural development and panchayat raj minister Krishna Byregowda said the Brahmin board will be considered part of the revenue department. Now, it appears it operate under the muzrai department. According to cabinet ministers, the delay for setting up the board though it was mentioned by the chief minister in his budget, was primarily because of this confusion.

“The Brahmin community does not fall under either the SC/ST or OBC bracket and therefore there’s no possibility of the social welfare and OBC departments taking charge of the community development board. Hence, it was decided the board would come under the muzrai department,” said a minister.

Muzrai minister PT Parameshwara Naik was unavailable for comment on the cabinet decision.

Meanwhile, the Christian development corporation appears to be stuck in limbo with the government not clear how to set it up. “We’re still figuring out the details,” said Khan. In the action-taken report of Budget 2018-19, the government admitted there was a delay in setting up the corporation.

However, Anglo-Indian community nominated MLA Vinisha Nero said the government will need time to set it up and it was understandable. “Once the framework and infrastructure are ready, there will be a need to facilitate a common ground for different denominations, including Catholics, Protestants, Methodists and others, for it to start functioning,” she said.

