Tribal families begin indefinite dharna over non-distribution of nutritional kits

Published 29 July 2026 · health

Tribal families from different parts of Mysuru district began an indefinite dharna in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s in Mysuru on Tuesday urging the authorities

Tribal families from different parts of Mysuru district began an indefinite dharna in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s in Mysuru on Tuesday urging the authorities to immediately resume distribution of nutritional food kits to them. Nutritional food kits are provided by the government to an estimated 48,000 tribal families across Mysuru, Chamarajanagar and Kodagu districts. However, the distribution has not taken place for the past six months since January 2026, alleged Sunil of Akhila Bharatha Jana Adhikar Suraksha Samithi (ABJASS), who is spearheading the agitation. The beneficiaries alleged that the nutritional kits had not been distributed for the months of February, March, April, May, June and July. While the government has cited technical issues related to the tender process as the reason for the delay, the authorities had assured ABJASS during its protests in May and June that the issue would be resolved in ten days.

“However, no action has been taken so far. If this situation continues, the very objective of the scheme—to combat malnutrition among tribal communities—will be defeated,” lamented Mr. Sunil. The ABJASS has urged the government to immediately complete the tender process. Alternatively, until the tender process is finalised, the district administration should procure and distribute the food kits on a temporary basis, he demanded. Earlier, these nutritional kits were supplied once every 45 days, but following the hardships faced by tribal communities and as a result of our sustained agitation, the government decided three years ago to distribute them every month. Unfortunately, despite this decision, the intended benefits have not reached the beneficiaries, he lamented. “The situation has worsened this year due to severe drought, leaving many tribal families without adequate wage employment,” he said.

Social security pensions Adding to their distress, the government has revised the eligibility rules for social security pensions such as old-age pension, widow pension and disability pension without adequately informing the public. ABJASS has claimed that the annual income ceiling for eligibility has been reduced to ₹32,000, and beneficiaries have been directed to submit fresh income certificates by July 31, 2026. However, Revenue Department officials, who are currently engaged in SIR-related work, are unable to process these cases. As a result, tribal communities are facing a double blow—being deprived of both nutritional food kits and social security pensions, said Mr. Sunil while urging the authorities to resolve the issue without any further delay. While urging the authorities to immediately distribute the pending nutritional food kits together, ABJASS has also sought for early release of the social security pensions including old age, widow and disability pensions, which have been withheld for the past four to five months.