Social welfare group requests separate committee for Northeast tribals

The Akhil Bharatiya Adiwasi Vikas Parishad (ABAVP), a social welfare group, today demanded the constitution of a separate committee for North Eastern states involving tribal leaders for effective monitoring of all tribal development projects in the region.
    
"We want that every penny spent for tribal development in
the region should be utilized judiciously and the fruits of
development should percolate to the real beneficiaries," said Somjibhai Damor, ABAVP national president.
    
Damor said the parishad — with 28 state-level branches
including two zonal offices — is working
toward economic emancipation of over 11 crore tribal people
in the country.
   
"The plans and programmes for tribals should be need-based
and we want that the Centre should consult us before
sanctioning any projects for us," he said, adding that those living in Delhi could not understand the real needs of tribals residing in remote corners of the country.
    
"We are shocked that majority of the people in the state [are]
still unaware of various benefits for them and still living in
pathetic conditions," he said while demanding adequate
compensation and a suitable rehabilitation package from the
state government for the people who are likely to be affected
by upcoming power projects in the state.