TDP humiliated tribals: Deputy Chief Minister Pamula Pushpasreevani

Amaravati: The tribals were neglected and humiliated during the Telugu Desam regime in the State and their rights were usurped, said Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Tribal Welfare Pamula Pushpasreevani.

She said in a statement here on Saturday that it was ridiculous that same people who ignored the welfare of the tribals are now talking about it. Referring to the letter written by Opposition leader N Chandrababu Naidu to the Chief Minister on tribal welfare, the Deputy Chief Minister said that the former Chief Minister did not give the post of even Minister during his term till the last six months of the tenure. She recalled that Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy has appointed a tribal woman in the post of the Deputy Chief Minister.

She said that the Chief Minister formed the Tribal Advisory Council (TAC) to take important decision for the welfare of the tribals soon after assuming office whereas the TDP has not formed the TAC even three-and-half years after assuming office. "Moreover, the non-tribals were appointed in the TAC by the TDP government since all the Girijan MLAs belonged to YSR Congress at that time," she said.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that the Chief Minister had withdrawn the permits for bauxite mining in the Agency area earlier given by the TDP government.

She referred to the welfare measures taken by the Chief Minister for the tribals stating that instructions have been given to establish Girijan University, Girijan Engineering College and Girijan Medical College to promote education among the tribals.

The government is also contemplating to establish super specialty hospitals in the seven ITDAs in the State, she said.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that in an unprecedented move hundred per cent wards and ZPTCs were reserved for the tribals in the Agency areas by the Jagan administration. She recalled that in the Girijan Tandas also all the seats were reserved for tribals in the plains. The tribals were given preference even in nominated posts and nomination works, she pointed out.