Tamil Nadu

Special committees to assess needs of tribals

THENI: Special committees comprising district panchayat councillors and panchayat union councillors representing villages on the foot hills would be constituted at district and division levels to assess the living condition of tribal people on the hills and protect their rights.

The committee would assess whether the tribal people enjoyed the rights given by the Central and State governments.

This announcement was made at the district panchayat council meeting presided over by district panchayat president Ramadevi Rajangam at the Collectorate here on Monday.

Three councillors from four unions in each revenue division and three district panchayat councillors would be identified for this committee. Two committees – one for Periyakulam and another for Uthamapalayam revenue divisions – meant for eight unions would be constituted. Similarly, district-level committee would also be formed.

On the whole, these committees would assess whether the tribal people living on the hills and in forest areas used the powers and rights given to them by the Central and State governments and avail their schemes.

It would help them take schemes to the needy people and develop new area specific schemes, she added.

Councillors stated that tribal people have been facing threats and disturbances from forest officials. Would this committee protect them from such threats, they questioned.

The chairman replied that this matter would be discussed in detail in the first committee meeting. Department of Adi Dravida Welfare would take action in this connection, she added.

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