'Tribal Rights bill to be cleared in this session'

New Delhi, Nov 24: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today assured a delegation of CPI(M) MPs and the tribal leaders that the legislation on tribal rights would be introduced and passed in the ongoing session of Parliament.

''It will be possible to introduce the Bill and get it passed in the Winter session of Parliament itself,'' CPI(M) floor leader in the Lok Sabha Basudeb Acharia told mediapersons.

At a press conference, Mr Acharia said the assurance was given by the Prime Minister to him, party MPs Ms Brinda Karat and Mr Babu Rao, and the tribals from across the country who met Dr Singh to press for the demand for passage of the bill in this session.

He stated that the Tribal Rights bill had already been unanimously cleared by the Joint Select Committee and had been referred to the Group of Ministers (GOM), which was discussing the issue.

''Earlier in the day, we also told the UPA leaders about the urgent need to get the bill introduced and passed in Parliament,'' Mr Acharia added.

The CPI(M) leader also made it clear that the Left had differences with the government on the bill, particularly in relation to the land rights of the tribals and compensation for the forest land.

UNI