The State government will work towards identifying genuine tribal communities in the State, so as to provide them with reservation and other facilities accordingly, said Revenue Minister V Sreenivas Prasad, here on Saturday.
He was speaking during the World Tribal Day celebrations, jointly organised by Karnataka Adivasi Rakshana Parishat, Department of Kannada and Culture, and Karnataka Janapada Academy.
He said that needy sections among tribal communities had not benefitted from the reservation meant for Scheduled Tribes. “The scope of reservation meant for tribals has been weakened, to reap electoral benefits. Communities who are not Adivasis are benefitting from the reservation meant for STs,” he said.
The list of Scheduled Tribes has continued to grow since independence. The Central government should form a commission to identify genuine tribals and provide reservation and other facilities for them accordingly, he said. He said that the State would write to the Centre seeking the formation of such a Committee.
“Day by day, the objectives of tribal welfare programmes is being weakened, and tribals continue to remain backward,” he said.
Cooperative minister H S Mahadeva Prasad said that Project Tiger and other similar schemes had adversely affected tribal communities. Collection of forest produce and visiting places of religious importance of tribals inside the reserves had become difficult.
Apart from this, tribals continue to be harassed in various forms, he added.
Rally
An attractive rally, which saw the participation of several tribal art groups, was taken out in the city, as part of the celebrations.
More than 10 tribal teams from various parts of the State, displayed their dance and other cultural forms during the rally. The rally, which commenced at Kote Anjaneya temple, concluded at Exhibition Grounds in the city. Teams of tribals from Jenu Kuruba, Soliga, Malekudiya, Betta Kuruba, Siddi, Yerava and others took part in the rally.
Chamarajanagar
MP R Dhruvanarayan said that Soliga tribe should be included under ‘Original Inhabitants’ list for getting more funds from both the Central and State governments.
He was speaking after inaugurating the World Tribal Day celebrations, organised by Jilla Budakattu Girijana Abhivrudhi Sangha, at Pete Government Primary School, in Chamarajanagar, on Saturday.
He urged the researchers to recommend to the government about bringing Soligas under ‘Original Inhabitants’ for their benefit.
Deccan Herald is on WhatsApp Channels| Join now for Breaking News & Editor's Picks