Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has asserted that he is committed to protecting tribal rights and clarified that there is no intention to remove the 1/70 Act. He said that he strongly believes that preserving the existence of tribal communities means preserving Indian culture. That is why, he said he is constantly working to improve their education, healthcare and living standards.
He has given this assurance following a two-day state-wide bandh called by all-party tribal and mass organisations, starting from Tuesday, demanding that the government announce a clear stand on the comments made by Assembly Speaker Ayyannapatrudu to amend the 1/70 Act.
Silence fell across the state, particularly in agency areas since the early hours of Tuesday. All shops, museums, businesses and offices were closed. All the roads became deserted.
In this regard, in a lengthy post on X, CM Chandrababu said “We strongly believe that preserving the existence of tribal communities means preserving Indian culture. That is why we are constantly working to improve their education, healthcare and living standards. We have provided special programs for the welfare and development of the tribals”.
He assured that “We are working to bring international recognition to other tribal products including Areca coffee. We have worked to ensure that only tribals get teaching posts in tribal areas by bringing GO No. 3 in the combined state. Due to the negligence of the previous government, that order was canceled due to legal implications. We will work to restore it”.
Further, he has given commitment that “We have no intention of changing the 1/70 law, which was brought with the idea that only tribals should have rights over properties in tribal areas. We request our tribal brothers not to believe such false propaganda, not to be worried about unnecessary misconceptions. We declare that we are always committed to the development of you who are at the bottom of the society”.
Welcoming Chief Minister’s categorical assurance towards tribals rights, CPM state secretary V Srinivasa Rao said that the agitations taking place in the agency areas did not come about because someone spread misinformation or created misconceptions, but the Speaker’s announcement to amend the law was the reason for this entire agitation. He reminded that the State Tribal Affairs Minister Sandhya Rani also made a similar statement.