Chennai: A high-level review meeting between the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) delegation, led by its Chairperson Antar Singh Arya, and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay was abruptly concluded on Tuesday due to the non-attendance of key state government officials. The meeting, aimed at discussing issues concerning Scheduled Tribes, was reportedly cut short by Arya within 20 minutes of its commencement.
Key Officials Miss Crucial Review Meeting
The review meeting, which began at 11 AM at the Government Guest House, saw the absence of the Chief Secretary, C. Sai Kumar, and the secretaries of the forest, revenue, and health departments. This lack of representation from crucial departments dealing with tribal affairs was met with strong disapproval from the NCST delegation. A member of the delegation expressed disappointment, stating that while tribals constitute only about one percent of the state’s population, the government’s approach in this instance was not appropriate.
The NCST delegation, comprising 12 members including Chairperson Antar Singh Arya and members Asha Lakra and Jatothu Hussain, left the meeting expressing their displeasure. Sources indicate that Arya conveyed his dissatisfaction with the Tamil Nadu government’s arrangements for the critical review.
Reasons for Absence and Subsequent Briefing
A senior bureaucrat attributed the absence of the Chief Secretary and other top officials to a scheduling conflict. An emergency meeting had reportedly been convened by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to review the state’s preparedness for the impending northeast monsoon. This monsoon season, which spans from October to December, is crucial for Tamil Nadu, providing nearly half of the state’s annual rainfall.
Later in the day, the Chief Secretary and the concerned departmental secretaries met with Chairperson Arya and the NCST members at Lok Bhavan. During this subsequent briefing, officials provided an overview of the issues concerning Scheduled Tribes and discussed the way forward. The Chief Secretary reportedly urged the NCST to expedite the distribution of land titles under the Forest Rights Act (FRA) and the implementation of housing assistance schemes like the PM-JANMAN for tribal communities in the state.
Focus of the Two-Day NCST Programme
The meeting in Chennai was part of a two-day programme organized by the NCST. On the preceding day, the delegation had engaged with tribal representatives from various districts across Tamil Nadu, including Vellore, Tirupattur, the Nilgiris, Krishnagiri, Theni, and southern districts. These interactions primarily focused on issues related to land rights, the effective implementation of the Forest Rights Act, and ongoing conflicts with the forest department.
The NCST, a constitutional body established under Article 338A of the Indian Constitution, plays a vital role in safeguarding the rights and interests of Scheduled Tribes across India. Its mandate includes overseeing the implementation of safeguards, investigating complaints, and evaluating development progress for tribal communities. The commission was formed in 2004 following the bifurcation of the erstwhile National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
The Chenab Times News Desk