Thousands of tribal families in Karnataka are facing heightened nutritional vulnerability as essential government-supplied nutrition kits have gone undelivered for up to half a year. The lapse affects some of the state's most remote and economically strained communities.

Key facts:

  • Nutrition kits have not reached beneficiaries for 5-6 months
  • Approximately 50,000 tribal families across 11 districts are impacted
  • Congress MLC K. Shivakumar raised the issue in a letter to the Chief Secretary
  • Families rely on these kits due to limited access to nutritious food and healthcare

Deepening Crisis in Remote Regions

The nutrition kits form a critical part of welfare measures aimed at supporting women, children, and the elderly in tribal communities. Many families reside in forested or hilly areas where regular access to nutritious food and healthcare is severely limited.

Shivakumar's letter emphasizes that the non-disbursal has caused considerable hardship. The situation has been exacerbated by prevailing drought conditions, which have diminished families' ability to rely on minor forest produce for sustenance.

Official Appeal for Action

In his communication to the Chief Secretary, Shivakumar outlined the severe implications of the distribution failure. He stressed that the kits are not merely supplementary but essential for survival in regions where alternatives are scarce.

“The prevailing drought has further worsened their livelihoods, as they can no longer depend on minor forest produce,” he said.

The appeal comes after tribal families from Mysuru district staged a dharna in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office in July, protesting the non-distribution and drawing attention to their plight.