Gujarat Congress on Thursday alleged the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party)-led state government for cheating and looting the Adivasi community of Gujarat. Gujarat Congress State President Jagdish Thakor claimed that the union and state government violates the right of Adivasis to live with dignity.
“There is no hope for stable education and employment among the Adivasis. The government ensured funds under the Tribal Area Sub-Plan (TAPS) are utilised for funding the PR (Public Relation) of BJP. Adivasi lands are being looted for corporate Projects,” Thakor said while addressing the press conference.
Leader of Opposition (LoP), Sukhram Rathva, AICC State in charge Raghu Sharma, Chief Spokesperson Manish Doshi and other party workers were also present.
Post-press conference, talking to Vibes of India, Jagdish Thakor said that the tribals protesting against the Par-Tapi-Narmada river linking project is evident enough to understand the situation of tribals under this BJP rule.
“According to a report by the National Water Development Agency (NWDA), in Gujarat, 793 families from 17 villages will be affected by the Kelwan reservoir, 563 families by the Dabdar reservoir across 11 villages, 379 families by Chasmandva reservoir spread over seven villages, 345 families would be affected by Chikkar reservoir across nine villages and 331 families would be affected due to Paikhed reservoir spread over 11 villages if the Par-Tapi-Narmada river linking project is implemented,” added Thakor.
Meanwhile, Raghu Sharma accused the BJP dispensation of ignoring the plight of the Adivasi community. He also claimed that the ruling party failed to implement various schemes, such as RTE (Right To Education) Act, launched by the erstwhile UPA government at the Centre.
“We know that the issue of unemployment in India and Gujarat has reached its peak. In the past seven years, over 8 crore people turned unemployed in India due to demonetisation, GST and other draconian policies of the state government. The Adivasi communities are the most affected due to these anti-people policies of the government,” Sharma added.
Sukhram Ratwa accused the ruling BJP of curtailing budget allocations meant for tribal areas, Ratwa promised to set up economic zones to employ youths from the community if Congress came to power.
“The time has come to uproot this government,” Ratwa added. He also slammed the BJP-led central government on the issue of oil and gas price rise.
