K’taka Cabinet approves separate development Corporation for tribal welfare
Bengaluru: The State Cabinet has approved the establishment of the ‘Karnataka Tribal Development Corporation’ to exclusively drive the social, educational, and economic development of tribals, as well as micro and most micro Scheduled Tribes.
The new corporation will be set up with a grant of Rs 33.36 crore, and the proposal was cleared in the Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar at Vidhana Soudha on Thursday.
Karnataka already operates the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation, the Karnataka Medara Development Corporation, and the Nomadic Communities Development Corporation, each catering to specific communities based on their traditional occupations and habitats.
However, the government has recognised the critical need for a dedicated corporation to ensure the holistic development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) residing in and around forest areas, including the Irula, Soliga, Jenukuruba, Kadukuruba, Kudiya, and Siddi communities.
This initiative fulfils the announcement made in the 2026-27 state budget by former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to establish the new corporation, as per the official statement from the ST Welfare Ministry.
As per the proposal presented to the Cabinet, the new corporation will encompass 33 Scheduled Tribe communities. Its primary objective is to design and implement special schemes for their socio-educational and economic upliftment.
The corporation will place a strong emphasis on economic empowerment, promoting entrepreneurship, skill development, market support, and enhancing livelihoods.