The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Centre urged to grant land right to tribals

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Wednesday, Jun 08, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Centre urged to grant land right to tribals

Special Correspondent

State Government will take a pro-active approach, says Chief Minister

HYDERABAD: The Chief Minister, Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, has said various efforts to ameliorate the living conditions of tribals have not helped much and urged the Centre to formulate a policy conferring the right to ownership of land on them.

Inaugurating a two-day national workshop on " Non-Wood Forest Produce (NWEP) Policy" at the National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD) here on Tuesday, Dr. Reddy said tribals had to be given their due share in the overall development of the country and declared that the State Government would take pro-active measures in this regard.

Advising tribals to move away from podu cultivation to horticulture and other modes of livelihood, he said that the per acre returns would be lot better if fruits like mango and guava were grown.

Focus on projects

The Chief Minister also wanted the irrigation potential in tribal areas exploited by taking up minor and medium irrigation projects.

Dr. Reddy also stressed the need for setting up industries in the tribal areas to provide gainful employment and observed that "some waivers" could be given for providing land on lease to industries. However, the ecological balance should be maintained.

He said non-wood forest produce was an important source for ameliorating the living conditions of tribals.

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