Forest-dwelling tribes push for direct recruitment

Members of 12 forest-dwelling tribes, who were promised representation in the State’s civil services in the 2025-26 Budget proposals, have urged the State government to initiate the process for direct recruitment.

The government had announced that 12 tribes residing on the forest fringes — Jenu Kuruba, Iruliga, Koraga, Soliga, Yarava, Paniyan, Halasaru, Gowdalu, Siddi, Betta Kuruba, Kadu Kuruba, Kudiya, and Malekudiya — would be given jobs in the civil services through a special direct recruitment. However, the government is yet to start the process.

On Wednesday (May 20), the Karnataka State Forest Dwellers Tribal People’s Federation met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi to press for their demands to be implemented. They have threatened to launch an agitation if the government fails to fulfill its promise.

The population of these tribes does not exceed two lakh. Though these tribes are part of the 50 tribes in the Scheduled Tribes list in Karnataka, a report from National Law School of India University (NLSIU) has also shown that they have failed to find representation in public services.

“So far, two rounds of consultations have taken place. Officials have proposed direct recruitment for Category C and D jobs. However, we want it to be extended to Category A and B too, since this will be a one-off direct recruitment,” a representative of the Iruliga tribe, who was part of the delegation, said.

Unable to compete

“The reservation for STs in the last 75 years has not benefited forest-dwelling tribes since the educated among these tribes are unable to compete with other tribes that are economically, educationally, and socially better off. If one generation is given government jobs, it can help these tribes develop,” said R.V. Chandrashekar from the Centre for the Study of Social Inclusion at NLSIU. Within the 3% reservation, these tribes cannot compete with others, he said, adding that the special direct recruitment drive will help them integrate with the mainstream.