Bengaluru, Aug 24 (IANS) A delegation of Buddhist monks on Monday urged Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to bring the newly announced Buddhist Development Corporation under the Department of Minority Welfare instead of the Social Welfare Department.
The delegation, led by Karnataka State Minorities Commission member Jigmet Wangdhos Jyoti and comprising monks from different states, met Shivakumar at Vidhana Soudha and submitted a memorandum seeking the change.
Buddhist monks Lobsang Norbu, Panichaito and several others were part of the delegation. They thanked the state government for making provision in the 2026‑27 Budget for establishing a separate development board or corporation for the Buddhist community, describing it as a long‑standing demand.
However, the delegation sought a change in the department under which the proposed corporation would function. “The Buddhist Development Corporation is currently functioning under the Social Welfare Department. It should instead be brought under the Department of Minority Welfare, on the lines of the Christian Development Authority,” the memorandum stated.
The monks said bringing the corporation under the Minority Welfare Department would provide a more appropriate administrative framework for implementing welfare and development programmes for the Buddhist community. They added that a dedicated corporation would help address socio‑economic and developmental needs of Buddhists in Karnataka and ensure welfare measures reach eligible beneficiaries.
The delegation expressed appreciation to the state government for responding to the community’s demand and urged the Chief Minister to consider their request to shift the corporation. They also sought support to ensure the proposed corporation becomes fully functional and can undertake programmes aimed at the overall development and welfare of the Buddhist community.
The meeting came after the state government announced the Buddhist Development Corporation as part of its efforts to address the concerns and development needs of the community.
--IANS
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