National Tribal Advisory Council set up

New Delhi: Government has decided to set up National Tribal Advisory Council under chairmanship of the Prime Minister for real time monitoring of various tribal development programmes and schemes in the country.

"A National Tribal Advisory Council under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be set up for real time monitoring of the ongoing programmes and schemes aimed at welfare of tribal people and development of tribal areas. The Council will meet once or twice a year," Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram said while addressing the conference of principal secretaries of tribal welfare from various states on Thursday.

Oram also stressed on effective community participation in various tribal development activities. "Especially in schools, community participation is necessary so that these schools perform effectively in the interest of local people," he said.

The Minister further said that despite a substantial increase in infrastructure, the quality of education was not satisfactory and the members participating in the conference should discuss the issue and find ways to improve it.

"Similar conditions prevails in primary health centres where equipments and infrastructure has improved but the mindsets of the doctors and staff has not improved," he said.

On the rights of tribals, Oram said states need to expedite proposals for declaration or rationalisation of scheduled areas by making them co-terminus with the tribal sub-plan areas. States should also safeguard against sale of land to non-tribals, he added.

Under Forest Rights Act, states need to take steps for vesting of forest rights, both in individual capacity as well as for the community as a whole.