As Congress Worries About Fiscal Feasibility Of Welfare Schemes, Karnataka's 47,000 Tribes Keep Starving

Ever since returning to power in Karnataka, the Indian National Congress (INC) has been concerned about the feasibility of the welfare schemes announced by them during the run-up to the polls earlier this year.

While a few schemes are currently up and running, several others, have been put on hold for several administrative and financial delays.

Earlier, the Congress announced that the food kits will be distributed every 45 days. This was then corrected and the Congress promised monthly food kits. However, according to a Deccan Herald report, nearly 47,000 tribal families in Karnataka have not yet received these kits from the government.

Procurement of ration in hilly and forested areas in the state becomes a challenge during the monsoons, since many places remain inaccessible as a result of floods and heavy rainfall.

Since June, these tribal families in the state have been waiting patiently to receive their nutritional food kits. As per the provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, tribal communities cannot enter forests to collect produce. About 1,025 villages like these are affected, the report states.

Tribal communities face the issue of malnutrition. As a result of this, the Government of Karnataka provides food kits to overcome the issue. This has been a routine since 2008.

It began with the Jenu Kuruba (honey collecting tribe) and Koraga communities initially, and was later extended to ten other tribal groups in the state.

This includes Soliga, Male Kudiya, Gowdalu, Siddi, Erava, Kudiya, Kaadu Kuruba and others.

Earlier, the kits were procured through tenders at a district-level. Since it was changed to state-level tenders, the delays began. The delay in distribution is expected to go on for one more month, officials say.