Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu asserted that his government was committed to protecting the tribal rights and “We have no intention of repealing the 1/70 law,” he said in a post on X on Tuesday .
His post comes in the wake of bandh in Agency areas following comments by Assembly Speaker Chintakayala Ayyanna Patrudu. “We strongly believe that preserving the existence of tribal communities means preserving Indian culture,” the Chief Minister said adding, “we are constantly working to improve their education, healthcare, and living standards.”
Mr. Naidu said that the government has has taken up special programs for the welfare and development of tribals. The government was working to bring international recognition to other tribal products, including Araku coffee. The government has worked to ensure that only tribals get teaching posts in tribal areas by bringing GO No. 3 in the undivided State. That order was canceled due to legal implications due to the negligence of the previous government. “We will work to restore it. We have no intention of changing the 1/70 law, which was brought with the idea that only tribals should have rights over properties in tribal areas,” he said.
Mr. Naidu requested tribals not to believe such false propaganda. “Not to be worried by unnecessary misconceptions. We declare that we are always committed to the development of you who are at the bottom of the society,” he added.
