PNS|Hyderabad
Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was the first to recognise tribal hamlets (Thandas) and settlements, TPCC President Mahesh Kumar Goud said.The Congress Government has consistently taken the initiative to help Adivasis by offering them targeted support and welfare schemes, he said.
“Indira Gandhi introduced the Land Ceiling Act to empower tribal communities. The credit for fully implementing the Land Ceiling Act goes to former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao. Congress governments amended laws to promote tribal welfare and development. However, the BRS Government neglected Adivasis,” he said.
Addressing the Telangana Adivasi Sammelan in Palvancha on Saturday, he said that from free bus travel for women to the distribution of subsidised rice, the Congress introduced several welfare schemes.
“The caste census was completed as per Rahul’s idea. The credit for effectively implementing the caste survey in Telangana goes to the CM and his Cabinet. The Congress is the only party committed to the slogan ‘Jal, Jungle, Zameen.’ The Congress Government is actively working for the socio-economic progress of SC and ST communities,” Mahesh said.
He said that the Indira Solar-Giri Jal Vikasam scheme has opened a new chapter in the lives of tribal people.
Under the ROFR (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, the Congress government granted land ownership rights to 2.30 lakh tribal farmers on over 6.69 lakh acres. The BRS government filed false cases against Adivasis who were fighting for their podu (forest) lands. The BRS government neglected lands eligible under the ROFR Act. Tribal communities must use the constitutional rights granted to them. I will try to ensure fair representation for tribals in the TPCC,” he said.
“The Congress is set to return to power in Telangana with a majority of 90 seats. Internal conflicts within the BRS are being fuelled by disputes over assets. By the next election, the BRS will become irrelevant in Telangana. There is ‘no future’ for the BJP in Telangana,” he said.
