Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Sunday accused the Narendra Modi Government of diluting tribal land rights and reducing budgetary allocations for health care and other developmental programmes for them.
In a statement, Sonia Gandhi said the Government must adopt the recommendations of the Virginus Xaxa Committee without any delay. The committee was set up by the UPA Government in 2013 to assess the socio-economic status of tribals in the country. It recommended changes in law to prevent further alienation of tribals and give them greater control over natural resources.
“There are other challenges that confront our tribal population. There has been a considerable cut in budgetary allocations for healthcare and programmes for tribal development. The Government’s plan to dilute environmental governance and Tribal land Rights is a serious threat to the welfare of Adivasis,” Sonia Gandhi said on the occasion of International Day of World’s Indigenous People.
Advocating for quality healthcare facilities for tribals she added: “It is also imperative that we work with them to mitigate their challenges and realize their opportunities. It is also important that the medical fraternity and Government institutions recognise the unique health care challenges of our tribal population and make appropriate investments in related research and development.”
In another message on the occasion of seventy-third anniversary of the Quit India Movement, Gandhi said the Congress party shall continue to champion the rights of the people and uphold the aspirations of our freedom fighters. lauding the “invaluable” role of tribals in the Freedom Movement and in protecting bio-diversity Sonia Gandhi said they all share a special relationship with the Congress party.
“India’s 104 million strong Adivasi people share a special relationship with the Congress party. Tribal welfare and development have been central to the ethos of our party. Through his Panchsheel for Tribal Development, Pandit Nehru laid the framework for the upholding of Tribal Rights, after our Independence. Since then, every Congress government in the Centre and the States have taken numerous pro-tribal initiatives. The Congress party remains committed to uphold the Rights and Dignity of our Adivasi brothers and sisters and work zealously for their empowerment,” Sonia Gandhi said.