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K.V. Kurmanath

Hyderabad , Aug. 5

The Union Government has decided to come out with a dedicated National Tribal Policy, with "an objective of ensuring the Constitutional guarantees" to tribals.

The draft policy focuses on a variety of issues such as unrest, displacement problems, land alienation and lack of rights over forest produce.

The policy plans to evolve a quantifiable Tribal Development Index with the aim of developing STs and tribal areas on par with the rest of the country by 2020.

While promising tribal-centric strategies in all sectors, the policy advocates scrutinising and strengthening anti-alienation laws. The nodal ministry would do a quick study of loopholes in various State laws and come up with a model legislation. The policy vowed to allocate at least one hectare of land to each landless family of tribals.

De-scheduling of tribes

Taking note of increasing "clamour'' from communities to get included in the ST list, the policy said a process of de-scheduling would also be put in place to exclude the developed communities.

What prompted the Union Government to come out with a dedicated policy seems to be the increasing spread of Naxalism in a number of tribal areas over the past decade.

The 22-page policy has noted that scheduled tribes have begun "to feel a deep sense of exclusion and alienation. This has been manifesting itself in the form of tribal unrest."

They had started considering the State an enemy and viewing the preachers of violent actions as their protectors and friends. "Tribals tend to support these violent movements as they feel that it would help them to get their rights, protect them from exploitation and redress their grievances," the policy observed.

It, however, noted that these violent manifestations should not be viewed as merely law and order problems to be tackled through policing. It also opposed moves (like supporting Salwa Judum in Chhattisgarh) that sought to arm the tribals.

The solution, it observed, was to ensure their rights over natural, cultural and financial resources. It also highlighted the need for roping in the services of NGOs to ground developmental works.

Displacement problems

Discussing in detail about a variety of issues regarding displacement of tribals, it said the existing rehabilitation policy lacked a holistic approach. It should factor in on those who didn't have any assets and also on those who depended on the existing livelihoods.

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