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Tribal Community
A vulnerable lot still !Geetha Kothapalli
The Tribal community in
India has been the most
vulnerable community
even after 71 years of
our Independence. Their
fundamental and human
rights are violated at every step in life.
Most of the people belonging to the
Tribal community are backward and
poor, living in naturally isolated
regional inhabitant. Those who are in
remote areas are still devoid of
common infrastructure-facilities of
roads, communication, health
amenities, education, safe drinking
water and sanitation. Though the
government is coming up with many
plans, through various grants, to
support these vulnerable groups,
their isolation from the regular
stream does not allow them to absorb
technological and financial help
provided by government. Majority of the tribes live under poverty line. Most of the tribes live on hunting, gathering and Podu cultivation or agriculture. They are not provided with any financial assistance by the government. They are not techno-savvy. These poor and simple tribals hardly use any new technology in agriculture. Hence they are prone to low productivity and low income . They end up being exploited by local money lenders. They are ignorant and lack proper knowledge of the governmental schemes. population of the country is 10.43
crore, constituting 8.61 per cent of
the total population. Majority of the tribes live under poverty line. Most of the tribes live on hunting, gathering and Podu cultivation or agriculture. They are not provided with any financial assistance by the government. They are not techno-savvy. These poor and simple tribals hardly use any new technology in agriculture. Hence they are prone to low productivity and low income. They end up being exploited by local money lenders.
Majority of the tribes live
under poverty line. Most of the
tribes live on hunting, gathering
and Podu cultivation or
agriculture. They are not
provided with any financial
assistance by the government.
They are not techno-savvy. These
poor and simple tribals hardly
use any new technology in
agriculture. Hence they are prone
to low productivity and low
income. They end up being
exploited by local money lenders. Health and nutrition are great challenges in the tribal areas. The poor access to general food and nutrition, bad sanitary condition, unhealthy housing and poor access to safe drinking water are responsible factors for morbidity and mortality among tribals. There are primary health centres and area hospitals but not adequate. People have to travel miles to get proper health care. The crime rate and atrocities committed against the tribal population is also very high. There is a requirement of more police force and police stations in the tribal areas. The atrocity cases are long-standing. Justice delayed is justice denied. Many tribal women and girls are subject to harassment and sexual exploitation. As they are in utmost poverty, they have no money to fight the cases which take long years to deliver justice and their lives are in danger. Special courts have to be established so that speedy justice is delivered. As far as access to safe drinking
water is concerned, 78.72 per cent of
tribals draw drinking water from
open-well. Its purity is unknown to
them. It is pathetic that in the modern
era of technology, wherein we are
talking of the launching satellites, we
are not able to provide for safe
drinking water to the people of the
country. Many a time, the tribals have
to walk for 2 to 5 kilometres to fetch
drinking water. It is to be understood that there is no coordination among the various departments in the implementation of the schemes. Because proper lack of connectivity the end point delivery mechanism is also not ensued. There are many serious lapses in implementation of all flagship programmes.
Corruption and exploitation are
widespread in the agency areas
which need to be immediately
addressed. Forest wealth should be
protected and the FRA should be
implemented properly. RoFR issues
pending with the revenue
authorities and forest officers
should be prioritised. Trafficking of
the forest produce should be
eradicated.
Unemployment is a major factor
causing unrest in the tribal youth.
The tribal youth are normally wellbuilt
and have exceptional talents.
Youth, who display exceptional
talent in sports, should be
encouraged and given special
training. Special emphasis should
also be made on the skill
development in the tribal areas and
youth should be imparted skills.
Special incentive and placements
should be mandatory. Trafficking of the forest produce should be eradicated. The diversion of funds allocated for the development of the tribal areas should be viewed seriously. Accountability should be fixed on erring officials.
is a pertinent answer to the Naxalite
problem. People belonging to
Naxalite-prone areas are required to
be brought to the mainstream of
development. Geetha Kothapalli is a sitting Member of Parliament of Lok Sabha from the second largest constituency in India, Araku of Andhra Pradesh, which is a tribal constituency. She is a First Generation Politician and a First time politician. |