Date:30/06/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/06/30/stories/2006063004060600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Para-legal army mooted for tribals' cases in A.P.

Special Correspondent

Union Minister Jairam Ramesh expresses concern over tribals losing out their lands

HYDERABAD: Union Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh has suggested that a Para Legal Army (PLA) should be constituted comprising law graduates to help the tribals get back their farmlands that are in the possession of non-tribals in Andhra Pradesh.

Expressing serious concern at the injustice meted out to the tribals, who lost out their lands due to lack of awareness about their legal rights, Mr. Ramesh said there was dire need for constituting the para legal teams. He was addressing a workshop on "Land and legal assistance" organised by the Indira Kranti Patham here on Thursday.

He advised State Government officials to undertake district-wise analysis of the court litigation pertaining to lands belonging to tribals and come out with a report.

Stating that more than 72,000 cases pertained to land disputes and encroachments by non-tribals, the Union Minister lamented that of these 50 per cent of the cases went in favour of non-tribals.

He felt all the cases where the tribals failed to get justice could be reviewed and challenged in higher courts.

In order to provide legal remedy and protect tribals' rights through legal empowerment, Giri Nyayam (Legal Assistance Programme for Land (LALP) was launched in the agency areas of Utnoor, Eturunagaram, Bhadrachalam and K.R.Puram, he pointed out.

Principal Secretary (Rural Development) K. Raju explained the department's initiative in empowering rural people, particularly the tribals, by alienating agriculture land and providing legal support. Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP) Chief Executive Officer T. Vijay Kumar welcomed.