Tue Apr 22 16:08:15 UTC 2025: ## Karnataka Launches Drive to Provide Identity Documents to Nomadic Communities

**Kalaburagi, Karnataka –** A special drive will be launched in Karnataka to provide essential identity documents to members of nomadic Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes communities, announced Pallavi G., chairperson of the Karnataka Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Nomadic Development Corporation. The initiative comes in response to widespread concerns regarding the lack of Aadhaar cards, voter IDs, and ration cards among these communities, hindering their access to government welfare schemes.

Speaking after a review meeting in Kalaburagi on Tuesday, Ms. Pallavi highlighted the critical need for this intervention, citing observations from her visits to various nomadic settlements. She noted the absence of basic amenities and the significant number of individuals lacking essential identity documentation. The drive will involve officials visiting settlements to facilitate on-the-spot issuance of these documents.

While the exact population size of SC and ST nomadic communities remains unclear pending the release of the Socio-Economic and Educational Survey (caste census) data, Ms. Pallavi stated that according to the 2011 census, the figure stands at approximately 11 lakh. Community leaders, however, believe the number is considerably higher.

The review meeting also addressed a serious complaint of exploitation within a Budga Jangam nomadic community settlement. A local fair price shop owner was accused of charging ₹100 per family for free rice distributed under the Anna Bhagya scheme. Ms. Pallavi has ordered an investigation and instructed officials to file a case against the shop owner.

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