Democratic principles do not flourish on empty stomachs and a diet of injustice and non recognition; it is because of this that they turn to the Naxals whose false promises seem to offer a better existence than they now endure. This desperate seeking for some hope of betterment, of security, and of an opportunity to improve matters is

what we need to nurture. Execute some small works successfully to display the right intent at the soonest.

This could be done by convincing the locals of the advantages of resettlement in nodal villages (as also required for security and anti-Naxal reasons), as an opportunity to educate, empower and bring into the main stream all the Tribals / ‘Adivasis’ in a manner they have some choice about. The process of resettlement will, to a great extent, reduce the incidents of any Human rights abuses and mistaken identity casualties and also allow for development activities simultaneously with Anti-hostile / Anti – Insurgency action.

Such nodal resettlement villages should be sited bearing the Geographic and Economic factors in mind, convenience of connectivity can follow. The villages, along with the economically useful area around them, could be made functional on the lines of Cantonments (we can also learn from the experience of the USA, Canada and Australia in the measures taken by them for Indian / Aboriginal resettlement while avoiding their mistakes and appropriately adopting them to the Indian context). Each of the villages could have a Board of local elected Members of the Community, an Executive Officer from the Central Forests / Tribal Department from the respective Ministries of and a Chairman appointed by the respective State Administration.

The people therein can then be trained suitably and employed in the Companies undertaking mineral extractive operations or infrastructure works, in the region, (as Plant operators, drivers, cleaners and labourers etc.). Once the basic infrastructure is in place they can also be educated and trained as Forest staff, Tourist guides, Semi skilled and unskilled employees of Tourist Lodges and drivers of tour taxis, artisans and craftsmen for performance of folk arts and of production of Art and Memento items for Tourists. Additionally women can be given micro finance to produce handicrafts and forest produce / goods.

Aid / Subsidy is important, but no-one should be allowed to feel that they can live off someone else’s tax money for ever. The locals in the resettlement villages should be given the opportunity for employment and be encouraged to think creatively to look for ways to get out of Poverty and develop the ability to support themselves appropriately. This is the where Khadi Village Industries Corporation (KVIC), relevant NGO’s and other financial and development institutions can be roped in to coordinate and implement such activities. Ensure internal controls and transparent systems to eliminate corruption and always keep the locals informed and allow them a say in all that is being done for them. Get them involved in local political systems (Gram Sabhas / Panchayats etc)

Also the Companies taking up mineral extractive operations or road constructions or other infrastructure works in the forest lands, must be asked to allot a percentage of share holding, say between 5% to 20%, as deemed appropriate, to the Co-operatives or Associations or Trusts of the Tribals / Adivasis / Locals of that area.

The Adivasis / Tribals / Locals should be

given shares proportionate to the Land / Rights surrendered by them in that Cooperative / Association / Trust. The Shares in such Trusts can be locked in for a period of say 5-7, years, if part of an Extractive Industries Venture (Mining, Forestry etc.), or say 7-10 years if part of other types of Industries / Businesses / Infrastructure projects. This will not only give them an interest in the Venture, but will also prevent takeover of their shares by exploiters and will also allow time for the Venture to become commercially viable and Dividend paying. This can be in addition to the minimum cost of the land acquired and to any employment offered to the Adivasis / Tribals / Locals by the Venture and/or the State / Central Governments (See “Lands / Rights – Acquisition and Compensation” at www.ideaz4india.com).

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