Tribals as vote-banks

The onset of the election season suddenly bestirs rulers into hyperactivity. Having virtually wasted four years, the UPA government is now concerned about its electability. Hence, a slew of precipitate decisions on the further relaxation of FDI in various sectors; a fervid effort to stop the free-fall of the rupee; the ruse to dress up the existing cheap food distribution schemes in states as an omnibus, nationwide food security plan, etc. Had they heeded the commonplace dictum about a stitch in time saving nine, the economy would not have been in the mess it is now. And, frankly, despite the belated efforts to stop the carnage at the bourses and to staunch the bleeding of the rupee, there is little chance of these bearing any fruit. Investors, domestic and foreign, no longer have any confidence in the government. Only a new government with a clear mandate can hope to stabilise things and undo the huge damage the UPA did all-round. In the above light, the recent appointment of a high-level committee to assess the socio-economic state of tribal communities in the country can only be seen as another step taken with an on the coming elections. To be headed by Virginius Xaxa, a member of the Sonia Gandhiheaded National Advisory Committee, the committee will also report on the health an educational status of tribal people. Most tellingly, it has been asked to point out the states, regions, districts, village-blocks, etc. in which tribal people predominate. In other words, the terms of the committee do not even make an effort to mask the fact that the objective is electoral. Because the polls are about nine months away, the committee might furnish its report, interim if not full, on the eve of the poll. Given that the state of the tribal community varies from state to state, even from one district to another in a single state, a national-level committee might find its task most arduous. Besides, only a new government would be able to take a position on its findings, if any. It is known that poverty levels are far higher among the tribals, than among the nontribals. A new committee was not needed to alleviate their poverty and to ensure a modicum of healthcare and employment opportunities. Several state governments, especially in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Orissa, have done well to lift the living standards of the poorest among the tribal communities. Jharkhand, with a high percentage of tribals, has failed. Integrating tribal communities into the mainstream ought to be the objective without in anyway assailing their customs, language, way of life, etc. But more than sixty years after Independence, political parties have treated tribal communities as mere vote-banks. Even the latest committee smacks of a clear electoral agenda.