Tribals hold protest for students' welfare

Tribals from Thane and Palghar districts here staged a protest demanding better amenities for tribal students of the area.
Protesters, under the banner of Shramajivi Sanghatana, an organisation that works in the field of tribal welfare, raised slogans at the Tribal development Commissioner office yesterday.
They pressed for their demands to expedite scholarship process for tribal students studying at various ashram schools in the two districts, relocation of as many as 43 hostels that are currently being run on private premises, better security at girls' hostels among others.
Later, a group of protesters also met Additional Tribal Development Commissioner Milind Gavade to put forth their demands.

During the discussion, the Commissioner assured that a meeting will be held at the Mantralaya of the departments concerned and tribal representatives to discuss the issues, soon.
He said incomplete works at hostels would be taken up on a priority basis while delay in granting scholarship to students would also be looked into.
A proposal would be forwarded to the government to increase the number of computers for tribal students, he said.
On security at girls' hostels, the official assured that private agencies will be employed to discharge service at the hostels, thereby strengthening the security of students.