Tribal groups call for Agency bandh on August 8 over reservation issue

Tribal organisations have called for a Statewide bandh across the Agency areas on August 8, demanding the immediate restoration of 100% reservation for Scheduled Tribes in the Scheduled Areas and measures to restore the benefits available under G.O. Ms. No. 3.

Adivasi Girijana Sangham member P. Appalanarsa said the organisations were rejecting the State government’s proposal to constitute a High-Power Committee, alleging that it was a tactic to delay the resolution of long-pending tribal issues.

The tribal leaders alleged that the government had already sought the views of tribal organisations at the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) and State levels through the Tribal Welfare Department but had not made the report public. Instead of implementing its recommendations, it was proposing another committee, which they termed unnecessary and unjustified.