'Gujarat lags behind in safeguarding rights of tribals'

Vadodara, Aug 9: Former Union Minister Naran Rathwa and former Gujarat Minister Mohansinh Rathwa have alleged that the state lags behind in safeguarding rights of the tribal community.

They were today addressing a meeting of tribals at Chhotaudepur town around about 160 kms from here. The duo alleged that "Gujarat lags behind in safeguarding rights of tribals".

Naran, who was former MoS Railways, alleged that there are no teachers and many posts of their posts are vacant in the schools located in the tribal areas of the state.

"Only 'pravasi (visiting) teachers' teach in these schools. In spite of several instruments, the right to education has not been fully realised for most indigenous peoples, and a critical education gap exists between indigenous peoples and the general population in Gujarat," he alleged.

Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee chief Bharatsinh Solanki and All India Youth Cong chief Amrindersingh Raja too addressed the gathering.

Mohansinh alleged that basic amenities such as roads, public transport, water, electricity, education and health care from the government "still remain a dream" for tribal people.

PTI