Somanna Urges Amit Shah to Fast-Track ST Status for Karnataka's Kadugolla Community

New Delhi: Union Minister V. Somanna has urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to fast-track the process of granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Kadugolla community in Karnataka, highlighting the community's long-standing demand for constitutional recognition.

In a meeting with Amit Shah, Somanna requested the Centre to expedite the necessary procedures so that the proposal can move forward without further delay. He stressed that the Kadugolla community has been waiting for years to receive ST status, which would enable its members to access reservation benefits and various government welfare schemes.

According to Somanna, extending Scheduled Tribe status to the community would contribute to its social and economic development by improving access to education, employment opportunities and targeted welfare programmes.

The Union Minister said the demand has been consistently raised by community representatives and elected leaders from Karnataka. He expressed confidence that the Union government would give due consideration to the request and complete the process at the earliest.

The proposal for granting ST status requires multiple stages of examination, including recommendations from the concerned authorities before a final decision is taken by the Central Government. Such proposals are examined based on established constitutional and administrative procedures.

The Kadugolla community is primarily engaged in traditional cattle rearing and pastoral activities in several districts of Karnataka. Community leaders have maintained that inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe list would help address historical social and economic disadvantages.

Somanna's appeal comes at a time when several communities across the country are seeking inclusion in the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes lists to secure greater access to reservation benefits and government welfare initiatives. The Centre has reiterated that such decisions are taken only after detailed scrutiny and consultation with the relevant authorities.

The latest request is expected to renew discussions over the community's long-pending demand, with stakeholders now awaiting the Union government's response on the proposal.