PM prescribes 'healing touch' to tribals

New Delhi, Nov 4: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said on Wednesday, Nov 4, that providing a healing touch to tribal communities who are victims of systemic exploitation should be of utmost importance for the State governments.

Addressing a two-day press conference convened to review implementation of Forest Rights Act, 2006, and tribal development and welfare programmes, Singh said,"The state should endeavour to give a healing touch to tribal communities. But this should not become a means of exploitation or at the cost of their identity and their culture."

The conference was held for the chief ministers and state ministers for forests and tribal development.

PM had on Oct 29, prescribed inclusion of tribal areas in developmental programmes, stating that alienation of tribal areas was one of the reasons for Maoists menace in tribal areas.

OneIndia News