Ahead of Gujarat polls, AAP chief Kejriwal promises sops for tribals
VADODARA: Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday promised implementation of the Constitution’s Fifth Schedule and the Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act in tribal regions of Gujarat if the AAP is voted to power in the state.
Kejriwal also promised that Gujarat’s tribal advisory committee would be headed by a person from the community instead of the chief minister, as has been the case in the state.
He claimed the Gujarat Assembly elections will be a direct contest between BJP and AAP. Talking to reporters before addressing a rally in tribal-dominated Chhota Udepur district, he said if AAP comes to power in Gujarat, each tribal village will get a good government school and a “mohalla clinic.”
Multi-speciality hospitals will also be set up in the region for free treatment of tribals, the Delhi chief minister said.
He also promised simplification of the caste certificate issuance process and houses to those who do not own one.
The government will also connect tribal villages with roads, he said. The Fifth Schedule of the Constitution deals with provisions related to the administration and control of scheduled areas and scheduled tribes. The PESA Act was enacted by Parliament in 1996 to ensure self- governance for people living in scheduled areas. The states were required to formulate rules for the effective implementation of the Act to strengthen gram sabhas in scheduled areas. Kejriwal said despite 75 years of independence, tribals have remained backward. “They are remembered before elections and have only been exploited by all. The Constitution provides for a separate system for tribals because the community has a different culture and is very backward,” he said.
No government is ready to implement provisions made for them in the Indian Constitution
because they are always eager to usurp their natural resources, Kejriwal claimed.
“We will implement provisions of the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution word to word. We will also strictly implement the PESA Act which says no government can take action in a tribal area without the gram sabha’s consent,” he said.
He said tribals will also be provided employment and free electricity which he has guaranteed for everyone in Gujarat.