Bengaluru, 29 October

The Karnataka Cabinet on Thursday approved the establishment of a separate Adivasi Development Corporation for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), with an initial allocation of around Rs 336 crore.

The proposed corporation will focus on the development of around 2.82 lakh people belonging to particularly vulnerable tribal communities, including the Irula, Soliga, Jenu Kuruba, Kadu Kuruba, Kudiyas and Siddis, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said on Thursday after the Cabinet meeting.

"We need a separate development corporation for them because their living conditions are very different. When they are grouped with all other Scheduled Tribes, it becomes difficult to ensure that the benefits and facilities intended for them reach them adequately," Gowda said.

He said around 32 sub-communities, castes and smaller groups were expected to be covered, though the exact number would be confirmed later.

The Cabinet also decided to distribute 9,243 sewing machines to women through the Backward Classes Welfare Department at a cost of Rs 16 crore to help them become economically self-reliant.

The Cabinet also approved Rs 228.95 crore for the construction and infrastructure development of the Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna Sainik School at Sangolli.