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In 1980 the Government of Andhra Pradesh sent a
proposal to include 805 tribal villages into the 5th Schedule. Last year on March 13, 2007 responding to a debate in
the Assembly, the Minister of Tribal Welfare accepted that there was unjust
delay in recognizing the 805 villages as Schedule 5 villages and said that the
government will take necessary action to incorporate them. Exactly 1 year has
passed since the Governments promise. On the anniversary of the unkept
promise, the 5th Schedule Sadhana Committee organized a dharna
at Indira Park, Hyderdabad, where representatives from the 805 tribal villages
came from 9 districts.
Dharna in Hyderabad by Hundreds of
Tribals
Inclusion of 805 Non-Scheduled tribal villages into
Scheduled Area.
In 1980 the Government of Andhra
Pradesh sent a proposal to include 805 tribal villages into the 5th
Schedule. One and a half years back, the central government asked the Andhra
Pradesh government to make a fresh cabinet approval of the
proposal. Since 28 years the proposal has gathered dust while
the tribals have been left without the benefits due to them. In the past 4 years the 5th Schedule Sadhana
committee has been actively pursuing the implementation of the proposal. With
its efforts number of civil society and political organizations have brought
the issue to the notice of the government of Andhra Pradesh.
As a result last year on March 13, 2007
responding to a debate in the Assembly, the Minister of Tribal Welfare accepted
that there was unjust delay in recognizing the 805 villages as Schedule 5
villages and said that the government will take necessary action to incorporate
them. Exactly 1 year has passed since the Governments promise. On the
anniversary of the unkept promise, the 5th Schedule Sadhana
Committee organized a dharna at Indira Park, Hyderdabad, where representatives
from the 805 tribal villages came from 9 districts.
Sri Bojja Tarakam, President of
Republican Party of India, speaking on the occasion said, "The Government
appointed Konneru Rangarao Commission has also pointed out the same issue and
has recommended to include non-scheduled tribal villages into 5th Schedule.
If the Government doesn't listen to its own committee then it is
clear how much they care of the tribals."
Thameneni
Veerabhadram, sitting MLA from CPM party, "This year on March 9 debate on
the floor of the assembly, the minister gave the same response as in the debate
last year, that is that the government would pursue the issue. Given that
there is only one more year for the government's tenure it is clear how little
they are pursuing."
Bhugatha Bangar Raju, CPIML
(Liberaltion) central committee member, "Since the first lists recognizing
Schedules areas were made 58 years ago, and the second list for inclusion was
made 28 years ago, and after the Government of Andhra Pradesh promised last
year, 2 lakh tribals for two generations in 805 villages have been
continuously deprived of their rights and protection granted by the
constitution. Even now the government can take cognizance and prompt
action or else the people will have no choice but to launch a statewide
struggle.
Eminent speakers included, A.S.
Teelavat (ex-MP), Kori Vinay Kumar (State president, Dalit Bahujan Front), M.
Tulsi Das (State President, AP Nirvastitula Sangam), Sri Harnath (State
President AP Kisan Sabha), Dr Ravi Kuchimanchi of the Narmada Bachao Andolan,
Mumbai Support Group and tribal representatives. Nearly 500 tribals from
remote villages traveled long distances to make their voices heard at the
dharna.
-- P.S. Ajay
Kumar, Convenor 5th Schedule Sadhana Commitee
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