Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 73
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 74
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Warning (512): Unable to emit headers. Headers sent in file=/home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php line=853 [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 48]
Warning (2): Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php:853) [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 148]
Warning (2): Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php:853) [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 181]
Notice (8): Undefined variable: urlPrefix [APP/Template/Layout/printlayout.ctp, line 8]latest-news-updates/urban-poor-tribal-welfare-on-nac-radar-9140.html"/> LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Urban poor, tribal welfare on NAC radar | Im4change.org
Resource centre on India's rural distress
 
 

Urban poor, tribal welfare on NAC radar

-The Times of India
 
With the National Food Security bill out of the way, the Sonia Gandhi-led National Advisory Council (NAC) will now take up issues like urban poverty, especially the vulnerable groups, and reforms in the Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Area) Act on a priority basis.

Sources said the NAC had already begun consultation on reforms in the PESA. The Act, which has been lying largely in a limbo, aims to hand over greater powers over natural resources to village councils in tribal-dominated areas designated as Schedule V.

The state governments have been reluctant to implement the Act since the control over resources such as minerals and water has to be transferred to tribal villages.

The industry too has found ways around it, using loopholes to access mineral wealth especially in Schedule V areas, where such permissions are denied to private companies.

With Chandra Kishore Deo now in charge of the tribal affairs ministry, the push for reforms in PESA is bound to find a greater synergy. Earlier, the government had also set up a committee of secretaries under the home secretary to push for better implementation of the Act. Now, it's bound to get a political impetus.

Earlier, the tribal affairs ministry was at odds with the NAC on reforming the Forest Rights Act, but Deo, who has voiced his concerns about better implementation of the Act, could provide the political heft for such a push.

The NAC will also be working on providing social security reforms for the urban poor, especially vulnerable groups across the country such as disabled, aged, single women and destitute. It had indicated its special attention for the 'vulnerable' groups even while drafting the food security bill, and asked for specific nutrition programmes catering to them. The Council is likely to look for a larger social framework to provide them equal opportunities and social benefits.

Some NAC members have raised the issue of looking at corruption beyond the Lokpal bill and attendant policy reforms, which will also figure on its agenda.