Congress President Sonia Gandhi Sunday accused the Narendra Modi government of diluting tribal land rights and reducing budgetary allocations for health care and other developmental programmes for them. In a statement in New Delhi, Mrs. Gandhi said the government must adopt the recommendations of the Virginus Xaxa Committee, which was set up by the UPA government in 2013 to assess the socio- economic status of tribals in the country, without any further delay.
The committee recommended changes in law to prevent further alienation of tribals and give them greater control over resources. The government’s plan to dilute environmental governance and Tribal Land Rights is a serious threat to the welfare of Adivasis, Mrs.Gandhi said in her statement. She said it is necessary that quality health care facilities is available to tribals.
In another message on the occasion of seventy-third anniversary of the Quit India Movement, Mrs. Gandhi said the Congress party shall continue to champion the rights of the people and uphold the aspirations of our freedom fighters.