Govt will protect tribal rights, interests: CM

The Chhattisgarh government is committed to protecting the rights and interests of tribal communities, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said on Tuesday.

He announced the formation of a Cabinet sub-committee and a committee of Secretaries of all departments, to be chaired by the Chief Secretary. These panels will look into protecting the interests of tribes and resolving their problems.

He was addressing a delegation of Sarv Adivasi Samaj here on Monday evening. Samaj Chairman Bharat Singh led the delegation to discuss the grievances of the tribal people in various parts of the state.

The Chief Minister urged the office-bearers of Sarva Adivasi Samaj, especially retired senior administrative officers, to discuss the issues concerning tribal welfare with the panel of Secretaries.

The biggest challenge is in the fields of education and health for which efforts are being made, he said. Small scale industries that require 50-100 acres of government land can be utilized to process forest produce and minor cereal crops.