The tribal communities from Hunsur and Nagarahole belt have appealed to Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy to be sensitive to the aspirations of forest dwellers and announce a development package for their welfare.
The appeal comes ahead of the State Budget, slated to be tabled on July 5. The tribals want their sentiments, and the government’s commitment towards them, to be reflected in it.
There is also a growing perception that the notified communities under the Scheduled Tribes category — mainly Naika and Valmiki — corner all the benefits to the exclusion of forest-dwelling groups. Hence, a package specifically aimed at forest dwellers, or the Adivasis communities, has been sought.
Development Through Education (DEED), an NGO based in Hunsur and working for the rehabilitation of the tribes, told The Hindu that they have been requesting the State government for five years to ensure tribal aspirations are reflected in the annual budget, but it has always been ignored. “Our appeal to the new government is to allocate adequate funds in the current financial year to help the 6 lakh Adivasis of the State,” said Sreekanth of DEED. “Though [a grant of] ₹200 crore was announced last year, it was not utilised.”
He said a federation of tribal organisations had repeatedly raised the issue of proper rehabilitation of forest-dwelling tribes with the former CM Siddaramaiah. “The issue was also raised when the State government observed the centenary of the late D. Devaraj Urs, saying it would be fitting to ensure tribal development to mark the centenary of a leader who had strived to uplift the backward classes. But our plea went in vain,” Mr. Sreekanth said.
There are various issues pertaining to tribal rehabilitation, including implementation of the recommendations of the Prof. Muzaffar Assadi Committee, constituted as per the direction of the High Court of Karnataka.
The committee had studied the condition of tribals and suggested a comprehensive resettlement package, including providing for their education, employment, health and housing.
A university to protect and foster tribal culture, implementation of the Forest Rights Act, and ensuring proper education for tribal children by shoring up the amenities at Ashram schools are among the other demands placed before the government. DEED said if the recommendations are implemented, it would benefit nearly 1.1 lakh families, or 6 lakh tribals, across the State.
