YSRCP tribal leaders called for stronger protection of Adivasi rights and representation, highlighting welfare measures implemented during the Jagan government and seeking his return as Chief Minister.
Tadepalli: YSRCP tribal leaders on Saturday called for stronger protection of Adivasi rights, dignity and political representation, asserting that meaningful empowerment of tribal communities could be restored with the return of Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy as Chief Minister.
The remarks were made during celebrations marking the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples at the YSRCP Central Office in Tadepalli. The programme was organised under the leadership of Plains Area ST Cell President Gunda Surendra.
YSRCP MLC and General Secretary Lella Appi Reddy attended the programme as chief guest. Tribal leaders from across Andhra Pradesh participated in traditional dances and songs and paid floral tributes to tribal freedom fighters.
Gunda Surendra said the occasion highlighted the importance of protecting the rights, culture and traditions of indigenous communities.
He recalled several initiatives undertaken during the previous YSRCP government led by Jagan Mohan Reddy.
According to Surendra, the government established a separate ST Commission and converted 157 tandas and gudems into panchayats.
He said ROFR pattas covering around 3.20 lakh acres were distributed to 1.70 lakh beneficiaries, while DKT pattas covering 38,200 acres were provided to approximately 25,300 beneficiaries.
He also highlighted the establishment of a Rs. 500-crore medical college at Paderu, a Rs. 153-crore engineering college at Kurupam, multi-super-speciality hospitals under five ITDAs and the AP Tribal University at Salur, spread across 561 acres.
Surendra claimed that approximately Rs. 19,471 crore was provided to tribal communities through DBT and non-DBT assistance during the five-year YSRCP tenure.
The tribal leaders alleged that the present coalition government had failed to fulfil its commitments on issues concerning tribal communities, including G.O. No. 3, Tribal Advisory Council representation and protection of tribal rights.
They recalled that after the Supreme Court struck down G.O. No. 3, the previous YSRCP government had constituted a Cabinet sub-committee and pursued a review petition.
The leaders said employment opportunities and representation for tribal communities needed to be protected through constitutionally and legally sustainable measures.
The YSRCP tribal leaders called for stronger implementation and protection of the 1/70 Act, which regulates the transfer of land in Scheduled Areas.
They also demanded the establishment of Integrated Tribal Development Agencies (ITDAs) for plains-area tribal communities and greater political representation for Adivasis.
The leaders resolved to intensify their political campaign on tribal issues and mobilise communities to protect what they described as their constitutional and statutory rights.
They concluded by calling for the return of Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy as Chief Minister, claiming that his leadership was necessary to restore justice, dignity and meaningful representation for Adivasi communities.
The welfare figures and claims regarding government initiatives in this report are those made by YSRCP tribal leaders during the programme.
