The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) has issued a directive to the Chhattisgarh government, emphasizing the urgent need to provide land for farming and housing, along with employment opportunities and comprehensive health coverage, for Scheduled Tribe families. These communities were forced to abandon their homes in the state around 2005, caught in the severe crossfire between Maoist insurgents and security forces.
According to the NCST, a coherent strategy is crucial, stating, “Without such a strategy, no person will be willing to return to the State.” The Commission has also urged the Union Ministries of Home Affairs and Tribal Affairs to develop a specific policy or plan tailored for these tribal individuals who have migrated from Chhattisgarh to other states, suggesting the 2018 Bru resettlement initiative as a potential model.
The Commission has further advised the Chhattisgarh government to integrate robust developmental activities into its initiatives for repatriating these displaced families. Key provisions include guaranteeing a minimum of 5 acres of agricultural land, securing employment for their livelihood, providing PMAY housing, issuing community certificates, and ensuring access to ration supplies, all contingent on practical feasibility. Furthermore, the NCST stressed the importance of establishing essential infrastructure in their settlements, such as primary schools, healthcare centers, anganwadi centers, electricity, and clean water.
Since 2022, the NCST has been actively addressing a petition filed by Valasa Adhivasula Samaikya, an organization representing some of these displaced tribal families who have found refuge in Telangana. In response, the commission has instructed Chhattisgarh and its neighboring states to designate Nodal Officers dedicated to resolving the complex issues faced by these families. Additionally, it has mandated thorough surveys to accurately determine the total number of displaced families and their current locations across different states.
Throughout its engagement with this representation, the NCST has repeatedly urged the Union government to draft a specific, comprehensive policy aimed at supporting these displaced communities.
In a recent letter, dated September 23, addressed to the Chief Secretaries of Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, and Maharashtra, as well as the Secretaries of the Union Home Affairs and Tribal Affairs Ministries, the NCST reiterated recommendations from a meeting held earlier in the month. A senior NCST official confirmed that all involved parties have been requested to submit action-taken reports on these recommendations within approximately one month.
During the September 8 meeting, the commission specifically asked the Chhattisgarh government to study the 2018 Bru resettlement plan. The goal is to develop a comparable scheme for displaced tribal families that would either address their needs in their current settlements or facilitate their return and rehabilitation to their original home districts, aligning with proposals initially put forth by the petitioner association.
Furthermore, the NCST highlighted that state governments should leverage the Forest Rights Act to allow displaced families to legally continue living in their current locations if they choose. NCST officials commented that the displacement of Scheduled Tribe families from Chhattisgarh is a long-standing issue, frequently leading to conflicts with local forest departments.
An official noted that a majority of the displaced tribal population has settled in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. While district-level surveys by these state governments identified 3,335 such families, an independent survey conducted by the petitioner association suggests a significantly higher figure, closer to 9,651 displaced families.
Acknowledging the petitioner’s survey report, the commission has directed its submission to the governments of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. It also requested the association to compile similar detailed reports for displaced families who may have relocated to Maharashtra or Odisha, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the situation.