Kerala not to refer tribal Bill to Centre

To make the proposed Bill totally fresh, the Revenue department is also preparing a package which would include land for all landless tribesmen in the state and houses for all Adivasis who were homeless. It is also likely to have a clause by which the original Act of 1975 would stand repealed.

According to available statistics, there are 4,738 tribesmen in thestate who have lost their land to settlers. About 7,967 acres of land has been alienated. The Government proposal is to take back from settlers land in excess of five acres. This would be returned to tribesmen. A few Adivasis would also have to settle for alternative land, in the same district where they live.

The decision is likely to begin another heated debate on the issue as many of the tribal organisations have stuck to their stand that they would settle for nothing less than the implementation of the parent Act of 1975. Revenue Minister K E Ismail, who had declared that the parent Act was impractical, would like to settle for a workable solution.

The decision not to send the proposed Bill to the Centre for the President’s assent indicates that the Government has in mind a package which, though implementable, may not be entirely in tune with the spirit of the parent law.

The LDF Government’s earlier attempt to amend the parent Act of 1975 had encountered opposition at various Ministries in theCentre. Much to the embarrassment of CPM here which had voted for the Bill in the Assembly, party boss Harkishen Surjeet had voiced dissent.

The amendment Bill proposed equal extent of alternative land for tribesmen who had lost their land to settlers. There was also the promise of financial assistance to the tune of Rs 25,000 to each Adivasi. It remains to be seen if the Government would include the cash component in its new package.