Koda vows to protect rights of Adivasis

Jamshedpur, Feb 25 (UNI) Jhakrhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda today reiterated the UPA government's commitment to protecting the rights and traditional system of the adivasis.

Addressing the adivasi religious programme ''Baha Parab'', organised by the Adivasi Joher Than committee, here, he said the government had allotted adequate fund for the protection of the traditional adivasi system, particularly in Santhal Parganas region.

He also vowed to protect all the religious places of the tribals and assured that the demands of the committee would be fulfilled.

Mr Koda also ruled out descheduling of the tribal areas.

He said the government would introduce Santhali language from the primary level and stressed on education in mother tounge from tender age.

Talking about the significance of holding of such tribal ritual,Mr Koda said, '' Tribals believe in worship of nature, which is the essence of everything, and it brings the people closer and helps to spread love to all human beings. '' Earlier, talking to the media persons, Mr Koda described as ridiculous the offering of ''Shramdan''(voluntry labour) by former Chief Minister Arjun Munda for the construction of 45-km-long Hatgamharia-Baraiburu road.

He said Mr Munda had lost his "mental balance" and was trying to extract political mileage from a ''non-issue'' as the work of the said road had already started.

Mr Koda reiterated that the Rehabilitation and Resettlement policy would be framed soon and the government was studying all aspects to formulate a comprehensive policy.

He claimed that the UPA government had managed to bring down the previous government's laon amount from Rs 2700 crore to Rs 1600 crore, and said the government was aiming at making Jharkhand an industrial hub in near future.

UNI