JOIN USImplementation of Tribal Forest Rights Act demanded
Bajuban Riyang, Loksabha member and Chairman of the National Forum for Tribal Rights on Monday said except for Tripura, the status of tribals living in all other states in the country was pathetic. These tribal communities across all the states have not been accorded their due rights, he said.
In his keynote address at the state-level tribal convention (Adivasi Sammelana) held at Kalamandir here, he said an ST identified in his own state was not treated the same outside his state. Unfortunately, the peculiar rule continues denying the community of its rights.
“The central government should bring a rule making the ST tag acceptable across country. The National Forum for Tribal Rights have been demanding for it for a long time,” the MP disclosed.
As per the 2001 census, he said there were nine crore ST population in the country spread among 700 plus communities. Karnataka state alone has 60 - 70 different communities.
Riyang regretted that of the equal number of languages were also neglected by the Government as not a single tribal language has made it to the list of scheduled languages in the country. The Union Government’s Tribal Welfare department has no special programme to ensure the progress and development of the Adivasis.
“Till now, there is no national level tribal policy to uplift the marginalised community. Though, UPA Government framed a policy, however, it has not been notified so far,” he said. The CPI (M) leader slammed the Congress party and the UPA Government for failing to stick to the common minimum programme (CMP) to protect tribal rights, a condition laid by CPI(M) to support the Congress-led UPA government. The implementation of tribal welfare programmes across various states was not satisfactory except left ruled Kerala, Bengal and Tripura states.
On the occasion, G C Bayya Reddy, general secretary of Karnataka Prantha Raitha Sangha accused the state government of failing to implement the Tribal Forest Rights Act so far.
Mining
In his address, C Basavalingaiah, chairman of the reception committee of the day-long conference said the reckless mining across the state threatened to destroy the culture and tradition of tribals.
“The tribal population are being forced out of their places. The Adivasis are left in a lurch due to the neglect of governments. These communities are tangible heritage and needs to be protected. The conference must call for a revival of fight for tribal rights,” the theatre director said.
More than 500 tribals from various parts of the state participated in the day-long conference.