Kerala Budget: tribal bodies hail announcements, flag land and rights issues

Tribal organisations have welcomed the Revised Budget’s focus on Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe welfare, describing several announcements as positive steps towards improving the socio-economic conditions of marginalised communities.

Attappady-based tribal collective Thampu and the tribal intellectual forum Oorjatham said the proposed Tribal University and Indigenous Knowledge Centre in Wayanad, enhanced allocations for Dalit and tribal communities, tribal health clusters, housing schemes, and special recruitment drives would strengthen educational, social, and economic development among indigenous people.

The organisations also welcomed the proposal to enact a law to ensure that funds earmarked for SC/ST welfare are fully utilised for their intended purposes.

At the same time, they stressed the need for effective implementation of community rights under the Forest Rights Act and the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) to ensure self-governance through tribal village assemblies and meaningful decentralisation of welfare benefits.

They also urged the government to appoint a judicial commission to address issues relating to alienated tribal lands and take corrective measures on a priority basis.

Inclusive development

Minister for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes Welfare K.A. Thulasi said the Budget reflected the UDF government’s commitment to social justice and inclusive development.

She welcomed the allocation of ₹20 crore for development works at Government Medical College, Palakkad, saying it would help expedite long-pending projects and improve infrastructure at the institution.

The Minister highlighted the allocation of ₹50 crore for the proposed Tribal University and Indigenous Knowledge Centre in Wayanad. The Budget has earmarked ₹2,979.32 crore under the Scheduled Caste sub-plan, with an additional ₹527.68 crore, and ₹859.48 crore under the Scheduled Tribe sub-plan, along with an additional ₹152.52 crore.

According to Ms. Thulasi, the funds will be utilised for housing, education, and social development programmes for SC and ST communities.

Welcoming the Budget proposals, tribal organisations said their success would depend on effective implementation and sustained efforts to empower indigenous communities through legal and administrative reforms.