Tribals want power for tandas

HYDERABAD: The state government is examining the practical viability of a request put forth by tribal leaders to empower tandas (tribal hamlets) on a par with gram panchayats so that they too could be part of the organised growth plan envisioned by the state.

Panchayat raj minister Botsa Satyanarayana said the government was examining demands put forth by hundreds of tanda representatives who met him on Friday with a request to speed up the process or work on alternative plans as they were unable to enjoy several welfare programmes started by the state due to geographical and other social factors.

The representatives informed the minister that since tandas were usually located on the outer periphery or outside gram panchayats, they were not in a position to make proper use of the welfare programmes being implemented by the state government.

The minister assured the tribal representatives that though population was an important element, it would not be the criteria to form tribal clusters. He said that an action plan would be finalised in consultation with the tribal welfare department and other departments concerned on the feasibility of forming tanda clusters comprising at least five tandas. There are at least 2,800 registered tandas in the state with each tanda usually comprising not more than 500 members.

There are 21,943 panchayats in the state which are under the administrative control of gram panchayats.

Read more: Tribals want power for tandas - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Tribals-want-power-for-tandas/articleshow/6957021.cms#ixzz16HNYjNFF