The Kerala Cabinet today gave its approval for a package addressing demands of the Aadivasi Gothra Maha Sabha (AGMS), a main line tribal organisation.
Chief minister Oommen Chandy in a post Cabinet meeting with the representatives of AGMS approved the package under which the state government would provide 7,693 hectares of land to the scheduled tribal communities. Following this, the Gothra Sabha, which had been on a standing protest for the last 162 days in front of the state secretariat, withdrew it.
The government has formed a committee comprising its representatives and scheduled tribe organisations to identify land suitable for habitation and farming.
The Cabinet also decided to implement PESA (Provisions of Panchayat Extension to the Scheduled Area 1996 Act) by including adivasi settlements under the category of scheduled tribes. When implemented, land deals in tribal areas would be strictly monitored by the governing bodies of various tribal settlements. This would check the working of land mafias in these areas.
“It has been decided to create tribal panchayat in tribal belts which would ensure land in the area is not transferred without approval of panchayats,” Chandy said.
As part of the Muthanga rehabilitation package, in Wayanad district, 447 evicted families would be offered one acre of land each and Rs 2.5 lakh for constructing houses. Children who were put behind bars following riots at Muthanga, in February 2003, would also get legal assistance.
According to government record, 44 children will be given Rs 1 lakh each. If there are more children, financial aid will be provided to them also, the chief minister informed.
The government package also suggested steps for improving efficiency of the Tribal Rehabilitation Development Mission.
Special encouragement would be given to promote traditional farming in the Attappady tribal settlement. This will be done through an Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP).
Chief minister Oommen Chandy in a post Cabinet meeting with the representatives of AGMS approved the package under which the state government would provide 7,693 hectares of land to the scheduled tribal communities. Following this, the Gothra Sabha, which had been on a standing protest for the last 162 days in front of the state secretariat, withdrew it.
The government has formed a committee comprising its representatives and scheduled tribe organisations to identify land suitable for habitation and farming.
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According to an official release, 7,693 hectares of land had been sanctioned for distribution to landless scheduled tribes by the Central Environment and Forest Department and the Supreme Court. A notification would be issued to provide title deeds of these lands.
The Cabinet also decided to implement PESA (Provisions of Panchayat Extension to the Scheduled Area 1996 Act) by including adivasi settlements under the category of scheduled tribes. When implemented, land deals in tribal areas would be strictly monitored by the governing bodies of various tribal settlements. This would check the working of land mafias in these areas.
“It has been decided to create tribal panchayat in tribal belts which would ensure land in the area is not transferred without approval of panchayats,” Chandy said.
As part of the Muthanga rehabilitation package, in Wayanad district, 447 evicted families would be offered one acre of land each and Rs 2.5 lakh for constructing houses. Children who were put behind bars following riots at Muthanga, in February 2003, would also get legal assistance.
According to government record, 44 children will be given Rs 1 lakh each. If there are more children, financial aid will be provided to them also, the chief minister informed.
The government package also suggested steps for improving efficiency of the Tribal Rehabilitation Development Mission.
Special encouragement would be given to promote traditional farming in the Attappady tribal settlement. This will be done through an Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP).