Manmohan reaches out to tribals

“For far too long have our tribal brothers and sisters seen the administration in the form of a rapacious forest guard, a brutal policeman, a greedy patwari.

“It is time that we provided a better delivery of services, one which is sensitive and caring to the needs and concerns of the tribal population for effective livelihood strategies on a sustainable basis,” Singh said addressing the chief ministers of naxal-hit states. “Our tribal population has traditionally depended upon forests for their livelihoods. Any development of tribal areas must ensure that the tribal population has a stake in it, even after it has been adequately compensated for displacement,” he said.

Singh said a meeting of the National Development Council has been scheduled for July 24 for further discussions on the development of naxal-affected districts. The Prime Minister asked the states to urgently fill up the vacancies in police forces in the regions affected by left-wing extremism.

The chief ministers have been asked to set up a group under the chief secretary to evaluate the vacancy position and develop an appropriate incentive package for posting in difficult areas.