Andhra Pradesh: Tribal Groups Flag Concerns on Independence Day

Visakhapatnam: Members of the particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs) hoisted the national flag on Independence Day at Kalyan Lowa and Ajay Puram.

Adivasi Tribal Association leaders Marri Prasadhu and Pangi Suribabu, who spoke, regretted that despite 78 years of independence, nearly 50,000 individuals inhabiting 263 villages within eight tribal mandals in the agency area have not benefited from the provisions under the 5th and 6th schedules of the Indian Constitution.

Residents expressed the need for infrastructure, such as roads, clean water, electricity, and Anganwadi centres in PVTG villages.

Marri Prasadhu pointed out that certain tribal areas had been overlooked right from the British times. To address this, Parliament amended the 5th Schedule of the Constitution in 1976, granting the President of India the authority to extend the schedule areas. Central government asked the states to provide details of villages with significant tribal populations. Yet, no action has been taken till date,” he regretted.

Others who spoke opposed hydropower projects in tribal areas and tribal lands being occupied by non-tribal people. A rally organised on the occasion sought, among other things, granting of land titles to local tribal communities.