PANAJI
The Aam Aadmi Party is all set to transform the face of Goa. Keeping this in mind, AAP National Convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal stated past governments inflicted injustice upon the ST community, but his party government will ensure their welfare.
Kejriwal said, “We are announcing an 8-point agenda as a guarantee in the interest of the ST community. So far out of Rs 2,400 crore, only Rs 200-300 crore were spent on the tribals, contributing to the poor infrastructure in tribal areas.”
We will make sure that all the money allocated for the ST community under the tribal sub-plan is spent for their welfare. The AAP government will ensure that the 3,000 vacant posts for ST community in government offices are filled, arrange private jobs for the remaining and give unemployment allowance of Rs 3,000 until jobs are secured, he added.
The party said land ownership will be ensured by implementing the Forest Rights Act, which had not been enforced so far. The AAP government will fulfil the 12.5 per cent reservation in the legislature which was overlooked by past governments.
Free healthcare and education will be provided to the people of the ST community “ better schools and hospitals will be built. Every woman aged 18 and above will receive Rs 1,000 every month.
All these 8 points from the agenda will be implemented when the Aam Aadmi Party forms its government in Goa and hence lead the state to great heights of prosperity and development, the AAP affirmed.
Kejriwal said, “According to the constitutional law, there are provisions for the upliftment of the ST community by implementing welfare schemes. However, Goa’s past governments have gone against the law and denied the tribals the benefits of the schemes.”
He continued, “Today the AAP is announcing a guarantee especially for the community of Scheduled Tribes. We are announcing an 8-point agenda under this guarantee. Out of the budget that is presented by the central as well as state government, under the Tribal sub-plan roughly 12.5 per cent should be spent on the tribals. That amounts to around Rs 2,400 crore every year. But in reality, a mere 200-300 crore is allocated to the ST community by the government, which is also not used properly. This is the reason behind the poor condition of infrastructure, roads, water and electricity supply in tribal areas. When the AAP comes to power, it will ensure that all the money allocated for the STs under the tribal sub-plan is spent on their welfare.”
He added, “Secondly, almost 3,000 posts reserved for people from the ST community are lying vacant in government offices. All these posts will be allotted on an emergency basis. Also, the Forest Rights Act, which gives the right to ownership of land to ST people has not yet been implemented. We will immediately implement this act and ensure that the tribals get their rights over their respective lands.”
He said there was a 12.5 per cent reservation for the ST community in the legislative assembly, which, again, has not translated into practice. We will ensure proper implementation of this reservation, and if needed negotiate with the Centre for the same, he added
The AAP Convenor stated further, “The AAP government will ensure free treatment for every person belonging to the STs and provide proper healthcare to everyone in the community. We will open holistic institutes for the schooling of children belonging to the community in order to provide them with free quality education all the way from nursery to graduation.”
He said every woman aged 18 and above will receive Rs 1,000 in their bank account every month. Also, an arrangement will be made to create jobs for all unemployed youngsters who are still left out after filling government positions. Until jobs are given, a monthly allowance of Rs 3,000 will be provided to them, he added.
