CM to release 5-year draft policy for tribals today

Visakhapatnam,Nov 25:The tribal empowerment policy 2010-15 will stress on the development of 60 lakh ST population in the state.The draft policy, to be released by Chief Minister K Rosaiah at the regional conference on Tribal Welfare and Empowerment here on Thursday,will endeavour to fill the gaps in the tribal development framework, strengthen the service delivery system,ameliorate the conditions responsible for the distress and deprivation being experienced by those living in remote areas.In order to rededicate itself to the task of rapid and sustainable socio-economic growth of the tribals, regional meets will be held in Telangana and Rayalaseema regions after adopting the suggestions at these conferences.

The tribal economy is still plagued by low growth, poor infrastructure, lack of entrepreneurship, inadequate control over natural resources etc due to which the growth indices of tribal area continued to be dismal.To accelerate the pace of works,the government has decided to launch a comprehensive policy as a mission for the development of tribals in the next five years.As part of the Mission,tribal lands will be protected by deploying community surveyors for surveying and demarcation of the lands,identify the cases of violations and improper implementation of land protection laws in each ITDA for handing over physical possession of the lands and give legal assistance.Under the policy, title deeds for 14 lakh acres of forest land would be given to 1.73 lakh tribal households. Cases booked against STs would be withdrawn under the provisions of Recognition of Forest Rights (ROFR) Act.

The policy focuses on rehabilitation of tribal families displaced by irrigation, mining, industrial & forest projects. The government would identify and upgrade the skills of one lakh tribal youth resulting in employment in farm & non-farm sectors. Training will be imparted to qualified tribal youth to set up enterprises.The policy will ensure safe drinking water to all ST habitations by 2012, BT road connectivity to all major GPs in tribal areas by 2014 and electrification by conventional lines. Investment in irrigation will be increased to provide assured irrigation to two lakh acres along with repair and rehabilitation of all damaged irrigation systems by 2015.