Bengaluru, September 24:
The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) has recommended that the Karnataka government establish a separate State Commission for Scheduled Tribes (STs), on the lines of the Central government, to ensure effective implementation of welfare programmes and stronger protection of tribal rights.
Addressing a press conference after a high-level review meeting in Bengaluru, NCST Chairperson Antar Singh Arya said the Commission had urged the State’s Chief Secretary to initiate the process of constituting separate commissions for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), with priority being given to the formation of an independent ST Commission.
Arya said the NCST, constituted under Article 338A of the Constitution, is mandated to monitor constitutional and legal safeguards available to Scheduled Tribes, review the implementation of development programmes, investigate grievances, and recommend measures to the Union and State governments for the protection, welfare and socio-economic advancement of tribal communities.
He said the Commission had been conducting State-level review meetings to assess the implementation of welfare schemes and constitutional safeguards across the country. Karnataka was the latest stop in the Commission’s three-day southern India tour, following similar meetings in Tamil Nadu as part of a special outreach initiative of the Union government.
During the review meeting with the Karnataka Chief Secretary and senior officials, the Commission directed the State government to ensure prompt disposal of complaints relating to Scheduled Tribes at the district level. Arya also highlighted what he described as a significant disparity between the tribal population and reservation provided in the State.
“Scheduled Tribes constitute nearly 7% of Karnataka’s population, but the reservation available to them is only 3%. The Commission has asked the State government to take steps to increase reservation to 7% in line with their population,” he said.
The NCST Chairperson urged members of the Scheduled Tribe community to approach the Commission through its online grievance portal whenever their constitutional rights or welfare benefits are denied. He said the Commission remained committed to ensuring justice for tribal communities.
Expressing concern over displacement caused by infrastructure and development projects, Arya said tribal communities were often the first to be affected by land acquisition and rehabilitation issues. He added that the Commission was closely monitoring such cases.
Referring to the delay in conducting panchayat elections in Karnataka, Arya described it as another important issue requiring attention. He also announced that the Commission would visit areas likely to be affected by the implementation of the Kasturirangan report within the next month to hear the concerns of tribal communities directly.
Review Meetings with Bank and Public Representatives
On September 23, the NCST held a review meeting with senior officials of Canara Bank, the State Level Lead Bank, to assess the implementation of banking and financial inclusion schemes for Scheduled Tribes and directed officials to ensure systematic delivery of benefits.
The Commission also interacted with Ministers, Members of Parliament and MLAs representing Scheduled Tribe communities. They urged the Union government to increase financial support for tribal welfare and sought greater allocation for Scheduled Tribes in the Union Budget, similar to Karnataka’s implementation of the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub Plan (TSP).
Among the key demands placed before the Commission were increasing ST reservation in Karnataka to 7%, providing a special development package for the Kalyana Karnataka region, strengthening women’s empowerment programmes, and relaxing norms for sanctioning more Eklavya Model Residential Schools in the State.
