MYSURU: The BJP wooed the Nayaka community promising a scheduled tribe (ST) tag for Parivara-Talawara groups in the run up to the recent assembly elections.
But they are yet get the status.BJP leaders - MLA Sriramulu and Union Minister Ananthkumar - had claimed credit for getting a union cabinet clearance for according ST status to the groups. But there appears to be no word about it now.
During by-elections to Nanjangud and Gundlupet assembly constituencies, the BJP was under pressure from the communities to accord ST tag to them and the party responded to in its bid to engineer cracks in former chief minister Siddaramaiah’s Ahinda vote bank.
The BJP’s social engineering appeared to have paid it rich dividends as a majority of the Nayaka community supported BJP, observers said.
Though, the Union cabinet cleared the proposal in mid-March, the Narendra Modi government did not introduce bill in Parliament or promulgated an ordinance so that the groups enjoy reservation benefits in education and government employment.
The Parivara-Talawara groups which together have a population of an estimated 10-12 lakh are spread over 40 assembly constituencies across the state.
The Parivara group is found in good numbers in Chamarajnagar, Mysuru, Mandya, Kodagu and parts of Hassan and Chikkamanaglur districts and Talawara community in Haveri, Shivamoga, Dharwad and parts of Gadag and Davangere districts.
“We were all happy and even joined the Karnataka Rajya Nayakara Hitharakshana Samithi in distributing sweets and rising slogans after the Modi cabinet cleared the proposal. But, I cannot get ST certificate for my son studying in a college as the authorities said they have not received orders,” said Krishna Nayaka of Suttur.
Officials say they can issue ST certificates only if Parliament passes the bill or the government promulgates an ordinance. “How can we issue ST certificate when there is no order from the government?” said a revenue officer.
Siddaramaiah who was instrumental in recommending an ST tag for Paraiwara-Talawara should take it up at the highest level, a local leader said.
Congress leader Ugrappa said there is no fault with officials as there has been no notification classifying Parivara-Talawara as STs. He said no local leaders of the region have raised the issue nor did elected representatives do justice to the groups.
BJP’s Nayaka community leader Appanna said he is confident that the bill will be passed in Parliament.
Former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar said the BJP is committed to including Parivara-Talawara in ST list.
Shettar said he will visit New Delhi and take up matter with Parliamentary Affairs Minister H N Ananthumar. He said they are pursuing the matter at party levels.