NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday approved in principle, the inclusion of the communities 'Parivara' and 'Talawara' as synonym of 'Nayaka' in the list of Scheduled Tribes of Karnataka.
The decision is in line with the long-term demand of 'Parivara' and 'Talawara' communities for granting Scheduled Tribes status in Karnataka. When the decision comes in force, the persons belonging to 'Parivara' and 'Talawara' communities will be eligible to get the Scheduled Tribe certificate from Karnataka and will also be eligible for all benefits meant for the Scheduled Tribes in the state.
The Karnataka government had recommended for inclusion of these two communities as synonyms of 'Nayaka' in the list of STs of Karnataka. "This will fulfil the demand of 'Parivara' and 'Talawara' communities for granting Scheduled Tribes status in Karnataka," said an official statement, adding that members of these communities will now be eligible to get the ST certificate from the state.
The first specification of Scheduled Tribes in relation to a particular State or Union territory is by a notified Order of the President, after consultation with the concerned state government or Union Territory. Any subsequent inclusion in or exclusion from and other modifications in the list of Scheduled Tribes can be made only through an amending Act of Parliament.
The decision comes ahead of the Karnataka elections that are due in 2018. The current tenure of the Karnataka assembly will end on May 28, 2018. The Election Commission of India (ECI) is likely to visit Karnataka in the first week of April 2018 and declare the election dates in mid April.
