Rahul suggests Bastar tribals to migrate

Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, Apr 26 (UNI) Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi, currently on a two-day visit to Chhattisgarh as part of his Discover India tour, today expressed his concern over lack of migration tendency among Bastar tribals.

Interacting with the tribals of Jamawada village, 12 km from here, Mr Gandhi asked them, ''Why you are not migrating in search of work like the rural people from Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, who migrate to big cities for work.'' In reply, the tribals said they feared to venture outside as they lacked knowledge in other languages except their local dialect.

Another fact that struck the Amethi MP was since Independence, only four youths of the village, having 3000 population, had so far passed higher secondary examination. He sought to know ''Why are you so backward in studies?'' He expressed surprise that the tribals were not coming forward to raise their problems over all these years and asked ''why are you not mustering courage to air your grievances''. 'Hame Dar Lagta Hai'(we are terrified), replied the illiterate tribals.

A few tribals complained about lack of employment under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, drinking water, healthcare and education facilities.

When enquired about the much hyped food security scheme under which BPL families were provided rice at Rs 3 per Kg, the tribals told Mr Rahul that a few villagers were getting subsidised rice, but majority were deprived of it as they did not possess ration cards.

Mr Gandhi, who arrived here by road, was accorded a traditional welcome with the tribals applying 'tilak' on his forehead. A few aged people and children also joined in a traditional tribal dance marking the arrival of the VIP guest.

The Amethi MP, who reportedly visited interiors to acquaint himself with the rural life, came in for a rude shock as Youth Congress workers had put up a number of banners, posters and buntings at the village and district town of Jagdalpur. He reportedly reprimanded Youth Congress chief Ashok Tanwar about the pomp and show.

The Congress MP also visited the home of three tribals and enquired about their welfare.

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