Gadchiroli Dec. 9 (District Correspondent) Tribals are the real owners of forest. They have preserved the forest and their entire livelihood is depended upon it. PESA has been enacted to give special rights and protection to the tribals. Don’t do injustice with them. While taking up any project on the forest land, consent of the Gram Sabhas is necessary, said Bhai Jayant Patil, leader of Peasants and Workers Party (PWP).
He was addressing the public meeting organized by Pragatik Paksh Aghadi at Abhinav Lawns here this afternoon.
Mr. Balasaheb Khobragade, President of All India Republican Party, Tukaram Bhasme, senior leader of CPI, Harishdada Uike, President of Gondwana Gantantra Party, Vishesh Futane, Vidarbha President of BRSP, Rohidas Raut, Central vice President of Republican Party, Dr. Mahesh Kopulwar, State member of CPI, Sainuji gota, leader of Gram Sabha, Amol Marakwar, District Secretary of CPM, Hansraj Undirwade, District President of Republican Party, Iliyas Pathan, District Chief of Samajwadi Party, Milind Bambode, District President of BRSP, Vinod Madavi of Adiwasi Yuwa Parishad, Ms. Jayshree Welda, Ms. Sheelatai Gota were prominently present.
Mr. Patil further said, paddy growing farmers have been facing problems. The pattern of the ‘aanewari’ has not been changed yet which puts the farmers to loss. The fishermen and tribals should be handed over rights over the rivers and modern equipment should be provided to them for fishing purposes so that their income could increase, he demanded.
The Anganwadi workers should be given the status of teachers because their role is important in creating the base of the students in their childhood, Mr. Patil said adding that this issue will be raised in the coming session of state legislature.
The leaders of the Pragatik Paksh Aghadi will stand firmly behind the people of the district, he declared calling upon the people to stand with this Aghadi.
Mr. Bhasme said the state and the central government is negligent about the public issues. These governments are working for the interests of the corporates and industrialists. The public companies are being sold; people’s voice is being suppressed. All the progressive people should therefore launch a massive agitation against the government, he appealed.
Mr. Harishdada Uike, Vishesh Futane, Dr. Mahesh Kopulwar, Deorao Chawde, Amol Marakwar also addressed the meeting and highlighted the people’s problems. Mr. Ramdas Jarate, leader of PWP made an introductory speech, Mr. Hemant Dorlikar conducted the programme and Hansraj Undirwade proposed the vote of thanks. A large number of people from different parts of the district attended the meeting.
Mr. Rohidas Kumre, Shyam Urade, Akshay Kosankar, Ashok Khobragade, Narendra Raipure, Vijay Deotale, Pratik Dange, Purushottam Ramteke and others took pains for the success of the meeting.
