Govt delaying passage of Tribal Bill, say Left, NDA

NDA and Left members said the entire issue had already been discussed by a Joint Parliamentary Committee.

Agitated NDA and Left members on Monday charged the government with delaying the passage of a bill aimed at rehabilitating tribals in their forest land.

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They said the entire issue had already been discussed by a Joint Parliamentary Committee.

Members, including JD-U leader Sharad Yadav and Brinda Karat (CPI-M) wanted to know the rationale of setting up a Group of Ministers to look into the Scheduled Tribes (Recognition of Forest Rights) Bill, 2005 when the JPC had already given its recommendations.

Tribal Affairs Minister PR Kyndiah said the issue of rehabilitating non-tribals had to be decided before clearing the legislation.

Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat said the matter could be taken up through A half-an hour discussion.