Pass GOs for tribal area devp in one month: HC to TN govt

The Madras High Court has directed
the Tamil Nadu government to issue within a month the 24 Government Orders proposed by it for the development of Kalrayan Hills in Villupuram and Salem districts where tribals possess unique skills in cutting trees effortlessly and without noise.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and
Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana passed the order after recording the submission by Director of Tribal Welfare Directorate B C Archana Kalyani, who appeared in person, during the resumed hearing of a PIL on the plight of the tribals.
The official said about 24 GOs would be required to be issued by different departments in this regard and the Chief Secretary had already granted approval for it.

The bench in its order said, "We are sure that the concerned political authorities in the administrative-making process are conscious of the importance of the issue and would ensure that necessary GOs post the approval are issued within a maximum period of one month from today."

The PIL sought a direction to the state and central governments to frame and implement a special scheme providing for the education, health, road transport and employment of the tribal residents of Kalrayan, Peria Kalrayan and Chinna Kalrayan areas of Villupuram and Salem districts.
Three advocates, appointed as amicus curie by the court to

look into the issue, in their report had highlighted the need for uplift of the community identified as 'Malayalis' (hill residents) and recommended a master plan for development of the hills.
They had also said the men folk of the tribal community is
lured by red sanders smugglers with huge money for felling the trees in Andhra Pradesh.
The advocates had also noted that the 20 tribals gunned
down by police in Seshachalam forests in Chitoor district in April last were from Kalrayan hills.
When the Tribal Welfare Director submitted that it was not
possible to provide government employment to the tribals, the court said, "What is sought to be done is skill development, keeping in mind the skills they already have, to facilitate their employment in the relevant age group."

The court also said the collectors of the districts should
respond within four weeks to request for any information sought by departments concerned in connection with the tribal welfare and posted the matter to December 18 for further hearing.