ST certificates for Kadu Kuruba, Betta Kuruba communities

Bengaluru: More than a year after the union government decided to bring Kadu Kurubas and Betta Kurubas under the Scheduled Tribes' list, Karnataka has issued a notification allowing members of these communities to obtain caste certificates.

The ST Welfare department issued a notification on November 25, just a day before Chief Minister Siddaramaiah held a meeting to discuss problems being faced by Adivasi communities in the state. One source from the chief minister's office (CMO) said the notification was issued "out of fear" that Siddaramaiah may pull them up for the delay.

Karnataka had recommended inclusion of the two communities under the ST list in 2014. A Bill was passed in Parliament for this in December 2022, followed by a gazette notification in January 2023.