Silvester D’Souza

Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (MS)

Kundapur, Jul 10: Karnataka Adivasi Rights protection committee welcomed the prominence that was given to Adivasis in the budget that was presented by CM Siddaramaiah recently.

Sridhar Nada, president of the committee said, “It is really appreciable to have dropped 7-d column of SCP and TSP act. The government has provided Rs 34,294 crore for implementation of dalit tribal schemes and this needs to be used after discussion with representatives of the tribal community. The nutritional food that was offered to Adivasis is extended from six to 12 months but the quality and the availability should be taken care of.

“Necessary actions should be taken to provide land, forest and rights of the community as per forest right act of 2006. Grant for land purchase, site and house construction needs to be increased.

“Action should be taken to improve the conditions of Hasala community of which there are less than 210 families. In the districts of Shivamogga and Chikkamagalur districts they are given Hasalaru ST status. However, in Udupi district they are considered as SC. So they are deprived of the forest rights, nutritional food, housing, self employment facilities.

“Hasalas who live in hilly terrains are short in height. During the recruitment, they are not given the necessary relaxations. Hasala and Marati communities who live in forest area are not given land rights. There is no information whether the land on which they live is revenue or forest. So they are unable to get the land rights.

“There are issues in marking the border of Adivasi area living in plateau of Western Ghats. As there is no exact marking of border at Hallihole Kattinadi area, the district administrations of Shivamogga and Udupi have put the community in a fix.

“According to Mohammed Peer report action should be taken to provide land to Koraga community people of Udupi. The irregularities in the hostels maintained by SC welfare department should be set right. The new hostels which are under construction should be immediately made available to the students.”

Sridhara Nada urged CM Siddaramaiah to call a urgent meeting with the representatives of communities and organizations to discuss the issues.