The need to include the long standing demands of the tribal people was emphasised at a meeting organised by the Tamil Nadu Adivasi Amaippukalin Kootamippu (TAAK) and the Tribal Association for Fifth Scheduled Campaign (TAFSC) held here on Wednesday. The participants wanted at least one parliamentary constituency and three Assembly seats in the state to be reserved for them.
The tribal areas in Tamil Nadu should be brought under article 244 (1) of the 5th Schedule of the Constitution. They also sought a 1.05 per cent reservation in panchayat institutions.
Urging the State Government to implement immediately the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act 2006, they said that the committees for the implementation should be formed only with the consent of the Gram Sabhas concerned. Until it is implemented the tribal people and forest dwellers should not be evicted. The right to collect and sell minor forest produce should be vested with the respective gram sabhas.
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