Mysore/Mysuru: A day after the State Government announced the formation of Karnataka Veerashaiva-Lingayat Development Corporation (KVLDC), the Mysuru-Chamarajanagar District Vokkaliga Association had demanded formation of Vokkaliga Development Corporation.

Addressing a press meet here on Wednesday, Association President G. Manju said that there were over 80 lakh Vokkaligas in the State and most of them depended on agriculture for their living. Maintaining that the community is lagging behind on economic, academic and social fronts, he said that the Government must form the Corporation for the upliftment   of Vokkaligas. 

Pointing out that though the community is getting a four percent reservation in jobs, he said that it is meant only for the rural poor and does not benefit the poor Vokkaligas living in urban areas. 

Urging the Government to form a Corporation on the lines of KVLDC, he warned of staging protests if the Government ignores the demand. Manju also sought to hike the reservation from the present 4 percent to 15 percent depending upon the population of the community.

Association office-bearers B. Kumargowda, S. Gururaj, M.A. Susheela Nanjappa, M.A. Nanjappa, Girish Gowda and others were present. The Association later submitted a memorandum seeking formation of Vokkaliga Development Corporation, at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office.