Sonowal calls for rejuvenating ATDA

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today directed Welfare of Plain Tribes and Backward Caste Department to rejuvenate the Assam Tribal Development Authority (ATDA), an official release said.
The chief minister said this can be done by identifying tribal communities and their population which fall outside the jurisdiction of the BTAD and Autonomous Councils of the state.
The chief minister's direction will benefit many small tribal communities living outside the administrative jurisdiction of the BTAD and the councils, the release said.
As per an earlier amendment of the Assam Tribal Development Authority Act, 1983, the ATDA was mandated to work for the tribal people living outside the BTAD and Autonomous Councils of the state.

As ATDA remained dormant for past several years, it severely hit many small tribal communities.
"The tribal people are the sons of the soil. They are the precious jewels in the socio-cultural mosaic of the state. The government of Assam is committed to ensure social security and development of each of the tribal community," the release quoted Sonowal as saying.
The Chief Minister also directed the department to make separate budget provision to suit the requirements of the tribal population not covered by the autonomous councils so that the ATDA can take up development and welfare activities for them.