Adani News

Tag: tribals

  • Parliamentary panel chief pitches for keeping tribals out of purview of UCC

    Parliamentary panel chief pitches for keeping tribals out of purview of UCC

    BJP MP Sushil Modi on Monday advocated keeping tribals of the North East and other regions out of the purview of any likely Uniform Civil Code at a parliamentary panel meeting chaired by him while some opposition members questioned the Law Commission’s move to begin consultation on the contentious issue, sources said.

    Most opposition members, including those from the Congress and the DMK, linked the push for a UCC to the next year Lok Sabha polls, sources said, adding that Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut noted that many countries had a common civil law while calling for looking into concerns of different communities and regions. He also questioned the consultation’s timing.

    Congress MP Vivek Tankha and DMK MP P Wilson submitted separate written statements questioning the move of the Law Commission, which was represented in the meeting by its member-secretary K Biswal, to invite suggestions on UCC from people and other stakeholders. They noted that the previous Law Commission, the term of which ended on August 31, 2018, had described the UCC “neither necessary not desirable” at this stage.

    Congress’ Manickam Tagore also questioned the intent behind the move and linked it to the polls. BJP’s Mahesh Jethmalani, however, made a strong defence for the UCC as he cited debates in the constituent assembly to assert that it was always considered imperative.

    Sushil Modi in his comments pitched for keeping tribals, including those in the North East, out of the ambit of any proposed UCC and noted that all laws have exceptions. It was also pointed out in the meeting, sources said, that the central laws are not applicable in some North Eastern states without their concurrence. Law Commission officials said so far, 19 lakh suggestions have been received on the consultation started by it following a public notice brought out on June 13. The exercise will continue till July 13. Sources said that 17 out of 31 members of the panel attended the meeting.

  • Uniform Civic Code would dilute Constitutional provisions: Nagaland church body, tribals 

    Uniform Civic Code would dilute Constitutional provisions: Nagaland church body, tribals 

    KOHIMA: As the Law Commission sought views of various stakeholders on the need for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the country, a church body and a tribal organisation of Nagaland asserted that implementation of such a code will violate fundamental rights of the minorities and tribal people.

    The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) expressed fear that if the UCC comes into existence, it will violate the right of the minorities to practice their religion.

    The Nagaland Tribal Council (NTC) asserted that the UCC will dilute the provisions of Article 371A of the Constitution which states that no Act of Parliament would apply to the state in matters relating to religious or social practices of Nagas, Naga customary law and procedure, and others.

    A UCC means having a common law for all citizens of the country that is not based on religion. Personal laws and laws related to inheritance, adoption, and succession are likely to be covered by a common code.

    “Codifying the social-cultural and the religious practices by way of negating the deep-rooted values and norms of the people, especially that of the tribals and the religious minority, will amount to violation of the fundamental rights of the marginalised minority in the country”, the NBCC said.

    The move by the Centre is to manipulate the social, cultural, and religious rights of the minority, NBCC general secretary Rev Dr Zelhou Keyho claimed in a statement.

    Once implemented, the UCC will dilute Article 25 in the Constitution that guarantees freedom of religion, he claimed.

    The NTC demanded that Nagaland be excluded from the purview of the UCC so that the “hard-earned inalienable provisions” of Article 371A remain undisturbed.

    “Nagaland was granted Statehood as the 16th State of the Indian Union on December 1, 1963, by a political agreement popularly known as the 16 Point Agreement of 1960.”

    “By this deed of agreement, special provision with respect to the State of Nagaland was accorded vide Article 371A of the Constitution of India,” the NTC said in a letter to the 22nd Law Commission on Saturday.

    The tribal body said it had made the same representation to the 21st Law Commission in 2016.

    The 21st Law Commission, the term of which ended in August 2018, had examined the issue and solicited the views of all stakeholders on two occasions.

    Subsequently, a consultation paper on “Reforms of Family Law” was issued in 2018.

    Implementation of a UCC has been part of the BJP’s election manifestos.

  • Odisha to release millet landraces saved by tribals

    Odisha to release millet landraces saved by tribals

    BHUBANESWAR: The Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment department has developed a standard operating procedure (SOP) for recognition, evaluation and release of traditional varieties of millets through seed system for landraces under Odisha Millet Mission (OMM).

    The system was developed in consultation with ICAR, OUAT, technical experts, field NGO partners and tribal farmers who are the custodian of the local varieties. In addition, standard scientific parameters such as yield, climate resilience, pest tolerance, cultural preference and taste were also considered during the development of guidelines. As part of the process, documentation of landraces was undertaken through crop diversity blocks, conservation in farmer fields, mapping of farmer preferences, development of seed standards from farmer point of view.

    As part of the process, 163 millet landraces have been identified of which 14 have shown good potential, said Agriculture department principal secretary Arabinda Padhee. Millets such as ‘Kundra Bati’, ‘Laxmipur Kalia’, ‘Malyabanta Mami’ and ‘Gupteshwar Bharati’, are being considered for release under seed system for landraces.

    “The state government has now formally approved formation of the landrace varietal release committee to release traditional millet landraces conserved by tribal custodian farmers. Last three years have been spent in conducting rigorous trials to get the necessary scientific data. By combining scientific rigour and traditional wisdom, the seed system for landraces initiative has created paradigm shift in mainstreaming agrobiodiversity,” said Padhee.

    Stating Odisha will be the first state in the country to release traditional millet landraces, he said the Food and Agriculture Organisation of United Nations is also keen to partner with Odisha on seed system for landraces and take the learnings to other countries of the world. The National Rural Livelihood Mission has also recently written to different state governments to adopt process of crop diversity blocks and mapping of landraces approaches. This apart, the National Rainfed Area Authority under the Agriculture Ministry is keen to collaborate and learn from the Odisha Millets Mission, he added.

  • Many schemes are being implemented for the upliftment of tribals: CM Bhupesh Baghel

    Many schemes are being implemented for the upliftment of tribals: CM Bhupesh Baghel

    Raipur. Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel virtually distributed appointment letters to the posts of assistant teachers to 142 youths of Pahadi Korwa and Birhor Special Backward Tribes of Jashpur district. He congratulated and wished the youth. These candidates include 124 passed Higher Secondary Certificate Examination, 11 passed graduate and 06 passed post graduate Pahadi Korwa. Appointment has been given to 01 candidate of Birhor community also. Who has passed Higher Secondary Certificate Examination. So far, 708 youths belonging to special backward tribes have been given government jobs in the state. ,

    The youths, who received appointment letters for government jobs, expressed their gratitude to Chief Minister Baghel during the discussion. Asima told the Chief Minister that during the meeting in the garden, you had announced to get the youth of special backward tribes appointed in 10 days. He thanked the Chief Minister for quick implementation of this announcement. Even before this, in various government departments of Jashpur district, the candidates of hill Korva tribe have been given appointments on 57 posts according to their eligibility. Multidimensional efforts are being made by the state government for the upliftment of the special backward tribes of the state.

    Educated youth of these communities are being given direct appointment in government services according to their eligibility. The Chief Minister said that many schemes are being implemented for the upliftment of tribals. To ensure the rights of Jal-Jungle-Zameen, we have implemented the best rules of PESA law. The purchase and processing of 65 types of forest produce at the support price is providing employment and good means of income to the forest dwellers. Arrangements have been made to purchase Kodo-Kutki ragas by fixing their support price. Input subsidy is also being given for these crops under the Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana. The Chief Minister said in the program that these youths have done their studies in very difficult circumstances. Today, when they are getting appointment as assistant teachers, then surely the enthusiasm for studies will increase in these communities. These supportive teachers will be an inspiration to their community.

  • Tribals protest against the ritual of atonement

    Tribals protest against the ritual of atonement

    Hundreds of tribals marched in protest in Balurghat town on Tuesday, demanding steps against Trinamul leaders instrumental in making four tribal women perform an atonement ritual of “dandi” last Friday for briefly joining the BJP.

    The protesters with bows, arrows, sickles, axes and other traditional weapons assembled at the local high school ground in the afternoon. From there, they took the march across town up to the district magistrate’s office.

    “The police are complacent in this case. Four women of our community were insulted and forced to perform the ritual by some Trinamul leaders. We want stringent steps against these people who were involved in this atrocious act. It is surprising that police have not arrested anyone,” said Rabin Hansda, a representative of Dakshin Dinajpur Adivasi Joutha Mancha.

    Members demonstrated in front of the DM’s office and also near Balurghat police station for around one-and-a-half hours to train guns at Mamata Banerjee’s party.

    They said that a number of Trinamul leaders like Rajib Banerjee, Mukul Roy, Arjun Singh and Biplab Mitra had walked into the BJP camp and later returned to Trinamul, but no one was asked to atone for it.

    “Does the party leadership make any of them perform such a ritual of atonement? Trinamul often speaks of tribals but so far, not a single tribal MLA is a cabinet minister. To woo us, some tribal leaders are ministers of state,” said a demonstrator.

    Protesters also referred to Pradipta Chakraborty, who was the district president of Trinamul women’s wing in South Dinajpur when this ritual took place. Chakraborty was removed from her post on Sunday after the state leadership came to know that she had been involved in conducting the atonement ritual.

    “However, Chakraborty still remains the vice-chairperson of Balurghat municipality. She should be asked to resign immediately from this post for humiliating tribals. The police should also take steps against her,” Hansda said.

    During the protests, police were deployed to keep the situation under control. A police picket has been deployed in the village of the four women who performed the atonement ritual.

    “An officer of the rank of deputy superintendent of police is investigating the case. For now, we are gathering information,” said a senior police officer.