Delimitation a social injustice against STs: Brinda

New Delhi, Mar 15 (UNI) CPI (M) leader Brinda Karat today expressed her party's concerns over the Scheduled Tribes losing Assembly seats in Jharkhand due to delimitation.

Addressing a press conference here this afternoon, Ms Karat said, ''Delimitation is a social injustice to Adivasis, curtailing their rights. We have requested the Prime Minister not to axe Jharkhand Assembly seats for STs from 28 to 21.'' ''It will be unconstitutional and immoral to reduce ST seats from 28 to 21 in 81-seat Jharkhand Vidhan Sabha,'' the leader pointed out adding that the Prime Minister has assured that no such action will be taken against Adivasis.

A delegation of the STs from Jharkhand alongwith Brinda Karat met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday and submitted a memorandum drawing his attention towards the need for protection of the present proportion of ST seats in the Jharkhand Assembly.

The delegation also met Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil and Union Minister for Tribal Affairs P R Kyndiah requesting them to solve the issue of protection of ST seats before the Delimitation Commission report is published.

The delegation also brought to notice that Jharkhand is the only state in the country where Panchayat elections are not held depriving the people of their democratic rights and participation in developmental activities which is also affecting the implementation of National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA).

The memorandum pressed the following demands- Increase of the Jharkhand Vidhan Sabha seats from existing 81 to 150, restoration of district-wise Scheduled Areas in Jharkhand under 5th Schedule of the Constitution as was existing prior to 2003 notification, extension of NREGA to the districts of East Singbhum and Deoghar, strengthening of Public Distribution System and application of Antyodaya Scheme for the entire population under 5th Scheduled Area and incorporating Kendu (Biri) leaf in the list of minor forest produce in the Rules under the ST and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers Act, 2006.

A group of 500 Adivasis from Jharkhand had also staged a demonstration yesterday pressing for their demands in the national capital.

UNI