New law soon to protect tribals' rights: Minister

The State Government has set up a Cabinet sub-committee under the chairmanship of Forest Minister Ramanath Rai for formulating plans for the welfare of tribals. The panel will work out ways and means to give more rights to tribals. 

The other members of the sub-committee are Social Welfare Minister H Anjaneya, Law Minister T B Jayachandra and Revenue Minister V Srinivas Prasad.

Addressing presspersons here on Wednesday, Anjaneya said the government will be introducing the Protection of Tribal Rights Bill during the winter session of the Legislature scheduled to be held in Belgaum soon. The bill aims to provide for a better framework for protecting the interests of the tribals. 

He said the government is ready to grant individual rights which have been long pending to the tribals. Reforms have been only on papers. The government intends to introduce schemes and reforms for the tribals, including granting right to till their land within the forest. 

Urs Bhavan

Anjaneya said the government will be setting up Devaraj Urs Bhavans (community halls) at a cost of Rs one crore in every taluk, meant specifically for the backward classes. “These Bhavans will be constructed alongside the social welfare offices to be set up for the backward classes,” he said.

Valmiki award

 The State government, which will be celebrating Valmiki Jayanthi on Friday at the Vidhana Soudha, will be presenting the Valmiki award to an eminent person, the minister said. However, he did not announce the person’s name.