Announcing notification of Tribal Bill on January 1 as a new year gift to the nation, the government on Monday said, a new tribal policy with a clear-cut guidelines on land acquisition for SEZs and other controversial issues pertaining to 90 million aboriginal people in the country would be brought in very soon.
??We will notify the Bill on January 1 and it will be a new year gift to the nation,?? Union tribal affairs minister PR Kyndiah said here.
The government had faced severe criticism from many quarters including Left parties for not notifying the Bill even a year after it was passed by Parliament. The Bill promises land rights to tribals and other forest dwellers.
Kyndiah said the government would also announce a new tribal policy early next year, which will contain clear-cut guidelines for land acquisition for SEZs, compensation package for setting up industrial units in tribal lands and issues relating to their livelihood.
??The draft policy is being prepared by a Group of Ministers and expected to be finalized in two months. Then it will be presented to the Cabinet for clearance,?? Kyndiah said.
He said the new policy would encompass all key issues related to development of 90 million tribals in the country.
??The new document will encompass all matters including guidelines for land acquisition for SEZs in tribal lands,?? he said.
The policy will focus on empowering the tribals whose economic condition has been on decline in many parts of the country, Kyndiah said adding it should be ready by first quarter of next year.