Tribals demonstrate in Orissa for revival of benefits

BOLANGIR - Thousands of tribals in Orissa on Friday took out a rally to protest against tribal benefits mean for them being appropriated by non-tribals.

The tribals claimed that non-tribals obtain fake caste certificates and make use of government benefits granted exclusively to tribals.

The rally taken out by the activists of Zilla Adivasi Kalyan Sangh lamented that despite their repeated requests to the district administration, no action had been taken so far.

“In Bolangir, there are 347 tribals with fake certificates, out of which only eight certificates have been cancelled by the government of Orissa, since the last three years. These non-tribals encroach on the benefits meant for the tribals and so tribals are deprived of their constitutional rights, and to protest that we have taken out this rally,” said Niranjan Bisi, Secretary, Zilla Adivasi Kalyan Sangh.

The tribals said that if an immediate solution to the problem is not found, then they would be forced to take the matter into their own hands.

The officials, however, said that they have looked into the matter and have submitted verified cases to the state-level Scrutiny Committee.

“We have already submitted 161 cases verified by our district committee to the state-level Scrutiny Committee, so we are waiting for the reports from the state-level committee.”(ANI)