A group of leaders of various Adivasi organisations and Adivasi leaders belonging to the ruling TRS party met IT Minister Mr K T Rama Rao at Pragathi Bhavan on Wednesday.
They urged the minister to sort out the pending problems facing the Adivasi communities in the state. They apprised the minister of issues confronting them and requested him to intervene. They also wanted the minister to focus on the development of Adivasi habitations on par with other villages.
Mr Rama Rao said the chief minister Mr K Chandrasekhar Rao had already agreed to sort out the Podu land issue and instructed officials to initiate necessary action. With regard to land rights on forest land, there were limitations due to ROFR Act which is under the jurisdiction of Central government. “The Adivasis should understand the constraints of state government. The state government on its part is ready to do justice to the extent possible,” he said adding that the ruling party was aware of the sentiment of tribals who are batting for “Mavo Nate Mavo Raj” – our rule in our land – slogan.
The ruling party had already upgraded the Girijan Thandas and Adivasi habitations into Gram Panchayats and gave powers to the local people. With regard to education and health facilities, soon a meeting would be called for to discuss the steps to be taken in this direction. “Since the formation of separate Telangana, the access to health and education for the tribals has witnessed phenomenal change and the government will do more,” Mr Rama Rao assured the Adivasi leaders.
Chief whip and MLA Rega Kantha Rao, MLA Atram Sakku, and several others were present.
By Gollapudi Srinivasa Rao