But the three tribal communities continue to fight the battle for the rights guaranteed under the Indian Constituency till date. While the local government has so far constituted the department of tribal welfare and set up the ST Commission, none of the remaining 10 demands of the tribal population, including political reservations, has been fulfilled till date.
Addressing the media, United Tribal Associations Alliance (UTAA) president Prakash Velip said that besides political reservations, declaration of Scheduled Areas, including Forest Act have not been done till date. “The Tribal sub-plan is not implemented in toto. So far, the government has implemented only 30 per cent of the tribal sub-plan outlay. Promotions are not given to the ST community. Over 2,000 vacancies meant for STs have not been filled up so far”, Velip said.
To add insult to injury, Velip said the amendment to the Tenancy Act will only make the ST and other farming communities suffer, with apprehensions gaining ground that the farmers will loose the cases in future. “The government may say that our major demands are at various stages of implementation. But we will say that our demands are implemented only when the tribals enjoy benefits under the Constitution”, he said, while expressing hope that newly inducted Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and Union Minister Sripad Naik will take up the cause of the Scheduled Tribes with the centre. UTAA has planned a day-long program on November 23 at 10 am at the Sun Grace garden, Bethora-Ponda, to mark the anniversary of the organisation since it was formed on November 23.
