'Adivasi Adhikar Yatra' (march for rights of tribals) started from Itvai village of Tapi district in South Gujarat on May 21 and concluded at Bodeli town near here in Central Gujarat.
Addressing a well-attended gathering of tribals at Bodeli, Congress leader Shankersinh Vaghela accused the Modi government of ignoring the rights of adivasis.
"This yatra was a must because under the BJP rule, the rights of adivasis are being trampled in the state," the former Union Minister maintained and called for dislodging the Modi Government from power.
Adivasis were being cheated of their rights in violation of the Forest Act. More than 1.70 lakh tribals in Gujarat have not been given land under the Act which gives the forest dwellers exclusive rights over its resources, he said.
The former Chief Minister assured the tribal community that if Congress came to power in the next Assembly poll, it will provide free electricity to the tribals and the poor who consume 50 to 100 units per month.
Vaghela said the Congress manifesto will include a promise to provide jobs to two lakh unemployed youths.
"We will also provide health insurance cover ranging from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 4 lakh to deserving families besides loans up to Rs 2 lakh to the poor youth and tribals for enabling them to pursue higher studies in medicine and engineering," the Congress stated. (MORE)
