Date:23/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/23/stories/2008072351370500.htm

Andhra Pradesh

‘No compromise on implementation of SC/ST Acts’

Correspondent

VIZIANAGARAM: Chairman of the SC/ST Commission M. Nagarjuna has laid emphasis on implementation of 1 of 70 Act in scheduled areas even if it means affecting tourism. He was referring to demolition of structures belonging to non-tribals in Araku valley in Visakhapatnam district.

Dr. Nagarjuna, who was here to oversee personally the medical facilities being extended to tribals in the Agency following reports of deaths due to fevers, told a press conference on Tuesday that the Commission would recommend action if the rights accorded under the statute to SCs/STs were not implemented. At the same time, he said that the Commission was also against misuse of various legislations enacted for the welfare of SCs/STs. Saying that cases of atrocities were being registered promptly, the chairman observed that there was a drop in filing counter affidavits throughout the State.

Claiming credit for the implementation of the Forest Act, Dr. Nagarjuna said 20,000 acres of forest land that was in possession of tribal farmers in the district would be distributed among them shortly.

Earlier, the chairman reviewed the steps being taken for implementation of GOs with Collector B. Kishore and Superintendent of Police Vikram Singh Mann. He would leave for Srikakulam on Wednesday. Commission member Gummadi Sandhya Rani, Joint Collector B. Ramaiah and other officials were present.