The Times of India, Chennai edition dated July 24th of 2010 in its first page report states :
TRIBALS LIKELY TO GET 26% EQUITY in MINING ENTITIES
" In a bid to deplete the reservoir of antognism in the Central Indian tribal belt that feeds the naxal cadre, the Government is engaged in fast-paced discussions to provide 26%equity in mining entities to the affected people mostly tribals" the report continues. It is about Group of Ministers headed by Pranab Mukerjee discussing amendments to Mines and Minerals[ Development and Regulation ] Act.
1996, Dravida Peravai got registered with Election Commission of India. There in our objectives we have clearly stated 'The party is for revamping the public sector undertakings ensuring workers participation in management, and the shares of such public sector undertakings should be allocated to workers of such undertakings and to the people whose land is lost because of such projects coming up in their soil, and to all displaced persons in general. Prosperity should percolate down and people should become partners in progress, the party feels. The party is for total ban on food exports till poverty is eradicated internally and all people are fed or are in a position to feed them.
Yes we were ahead of times. We could see the writing on the wall 14 years ago. We are happy Government has understood that all its rehabilitation packages are reaching the pockets of bureaucracy and not tribals.Hence we are proud that we were first to air this suggestion. The undersigned was first to ship granite sample shipment to Isle of Man from his quarries in Keonjhargarh District of Orissa through Calcutta port in 1980. In my extensive travels in remotest areas of Bastar District to Malkangiri, I found that beneath their soil diamonds exist but tribals remain poor. Marwaris exploiting them and parading wealth was common sight to me. Orissa Chief Minister Biju Patnaik said once you came here with one shawl and a water jug but enriched in our soil, which irritated the marwaris who even closed their shops to protest his remark. Near Naupada District of Orissa hundreds of kilometers were earmarked as gem stone area, and Gem Corporation of India was stationed there. A tribal while digging his soil will find a raw diamond or gemstone, the value of which he does not know. He will bring it to the nearest town and sell to the marwari for few hundred rupees. It will go to Rajasthan get polished and earn lakhs for marwaris. A son of a maid servant got a diamond, went to Nepal and sold there, minted money and rose in politics to reach even union ministry. Such wealth in tribal areas are being looted by companies. When De Beers, a famous Diamond Company from South Africa landed in Raichur, tribals with bow and arrow surounded the airport to blockade them, when I was in that region. My own observation of the jungles, tribals and their poverty made me incorporated this suggestion in our party's manifesto.
I am happy that my idea is now under consideration of Union Government.
N.Nandhivarman
General Secretary Dravida Peravai
[ Picture taken in June 2010 during my visit to Budhagaya]
