CM announces complete survey of land

Complete survey of land under 1/70 Act: CM

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD , JUNE 11. The Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, has asked officials of the Tribal Welfare Department and related agencies to complete, in a given timeframe, the survey of lands held by tribals and non-tribals in the scheduled areas under what is popularly called '1/70 Act.'

Under the provisions of 1/70 Act, land in the scheduled areas cannot be alienated to a non-tribal, but this has been, over the years, followed more in breach than observance. The violations sparked confrontations between tribals and non-tribals, leading to law and order situations in West Godavari , Khammam and other districts.

The new administration is said to be keen on finding a lasting solution to the problem, giving it priority akin to farmers' problems. Sources said the problem defied solution in the absence of a survey. Under the Act the burden of proof of establishing right of ownership lay with the non-tribal.

The Chief Minister convened a meeting at Secretariat on Friday to review the position. It was attended by Jalagam Venkata Rao, MLA, Sattupalli Chaya Ratan, Principal Secretary, Tribal Welfare, JannatHussain, Principal Secretary to Dr. Reddy, V.N.V.K. Sastry, Director, Tribal Cultural Research and Training Institute, Veerabhadrudu, Joint Director, Tribal Welfare, and others.

Dr. Reddy instructed Ms.Chaya Ratan to visit Dharbhagudem and Koyyalagudem villages in Khammam district and sort out the problems between tribals and the non-tribals, according to a press release* is-sued by the Chief Minister's Office. The meeting is under stood to have also discussed appointment of teachers in tribal areas. Under the powers of the Governor, an order was issued four years ago, stipulating that all the posts of teachers in scheduled areas should be reserved for tribals belonging to scheduled areas only. It was decided to adhere to the norm in the appointment of teachers.

- The Hindu, Saturday, June 12, 2004

IN THE SUPREMEN COURT OF INDIA

CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICITON

SAKTI, A VOLUNTARY SOCIAL ORGANISATION

WORKING FOR THE UPLIFTMENT OF TRIBALS . PETITIONER

- VERSUS -

STATE OF A.P. & OTHERS . RESPONDENTS

TO

1. State of A.P. rep. by its Chief Secretary to Govt.

Govt. of A.P., Secretariat Buildings,

Hyderabad

2. The District Collector & Agent to Govt.

West Godavari District, Eluru, A.P. .. Contesting respondent No.s 1 and 2

WHEREAS the Petition for Special leave to Appeal above mentioned (copy enclosed) filled in the Registry by Mr. Satya Mitra Garg, Advocate on behalf of the Petitioner above named was listed for hearing before this Court on 11 th April, 2005, when the Court was pleased to pass the following Order: -

"Issue notice"

NOW, THEREFORE, TAKE NOTICE that the above Petition will be posted for hearing before this Court in due course and your may enter appearance before this Court either in person or through and advocate on record of this Court duly appointed by you in that behalf within 30 days from the date of service of notice. You may thereafter show cause to the Court on the day that may subsequently be specified as to why Special leave as prayed for be not granted and the resultant appeal be not allowed.

TAKE FURTHR NOTICE that if you fail to enter appearance as aforesaid, no further notice shall be given to you even afer the grant of special leave for hearing of the resultant appeal and the matter above mentioned shall be disposed of in your absence.

Dated this the 2 nd day of August, 2005

ASSISTANT REGISTRAR

To submit non-bailable list in Eloctoral rolls 2006

Mandal Revenue Office,

Sathupally.

Dated: 07-11-2005

Sri S.D. Prasad.,                                                            The Deputy Superintendent of Police,

Mandal Revenue Office,                                                  SATHUPALLI

SATHUPALLI.

Sir,

Sub:- Special summary revision of Electoral rolls 2006 - non bailable list - requested - regarding.

Ref:- District Election Officer and District Collector for Khammam Rc. No. C7/3031/2005, Dated 20-10-2005.

****

I am to state that the Election Commission of India has decided that to delete the voters of concerned who are not residing in the villages since more than six months that meaning of non-bailable warrants could not be executed for the last 6 months. Such names are to be required to be delete their names from the voter's list of 277 Sathupalli Assembly Constituency i.e., 7 mandals, 1) Sathupalli; 2) Aswaraopeta; 3) Dammapeta; 4) Penuballi; 5) Kalluru; 6) Vemsoor; 7) Velairpadu.

As such request you kindly arrange to issue the name of the persons not executed the warrants in an early.

Yours faithfully,

Sd/-

Mandal Revenue Officer, Sathupally.

Copy to the Mandal Revenue Officers Aswaraopeta, Dammapeta, Kalluru, Penuballi, Vemsoor, Velairpadu with a request to obtain the names called for above and delete the names from concerned voters list.

// true copy //

Instruction of National Commission for Scheduled Tribes to investigate the cancellation of right to vote in Dammapeta mandal, Khammam district

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR SCHEDULED TRIBES

6th Floor, 'B' Wing, Lok Nayak Bhawan

Khan Market, New Delhi - 110003

No. AP/5/2006/ESDW Dated: 07-03-2006

To,

The State Election Commissioner,

Govt. of Andhra Pradesh,

2nd Floor, Budha Bhawan,

M.G. Road , Secunderabad,

Andhra Pradesh.

Sub: - Representation regarding cancellation of right to vote of the 300 tribals of Dammapeta Mandal, Khammam District, Andhra Pradesh.

Sir,

I am directed to enclose herewith a copy of the representation dated 30-01-2006 received from Dr. P. Sivaramkrishna, R/o Hyderabad (A.P.) on the subject mentioned above and to say that the same may please be investigated/ looked into and your comments/ report on the points raised in the representation along with action taken/proposed to be taken may be sent to this Commission within 30 days for further necessary action.

Yours faithfully,

Research Officer

Copy to

Noorinti Adavi

'NOORINTI ADAVI'

Nooru in Telugu language means hundred. Inti mean related to houses. Adavi means forest. Noorinti adavi means forest related to hundred houses. Houses is a auspicious word. The community lands (common property resources) in the tribal areas of east godavari popularly described as Rampa country during British times as are called 'Noorinti' Here is an extract about the management of common property resources.

"Village communal property is carefully preserved. Topes are the joint property of the villagers and the income therefrom, especially from tamarind, is distributed amongst the shareholders. New-comers have no claim to a share.

The fruit is collected by the villagers income from time to time as it ripens and the yield is then and there distributed among the shareholders. When labour is needed for any Government work, one man from each house is expected to present himself and his wages are distributed amongst all the villagers, the old, the blind, the maimed and the widows all getting a share. Thus it can be seen that the peculiarities of the joint village system are carefully preserved.

Serious crime is rare and theft is almost unknown. In fact, the entrances to the dwellings are not secured by bolts or other fastenings. Harvested crops are leftin the field or threshing-floor and no one is set to watch them. Seldom does a village resound with the quarrels or wrangles of either sex, and in this respect it presents a marked contrast to the frequent street brawls in the so-called civilized towns.

The people live undisturbed by the rush and bustle of the outside world. While the village remains entire and its internal economy undisturbed, the Agency man cares not who administers the land.

Village organisation. - the village resembles a township and consists of communities held together by ties of kinship. Its establishment consists of a munsif or headman, a Pettendar, (V.M.'s assistant) and a village servant (bariki or kolagadu). The munsif has general superintedndence of the village, attends to the police duties and collects revenue. He is not a mere headman "primus inter papes" He is a virtual autocrat. He is the sole representative of the country in its dealings with the Government and with the outside world. He settles all non-religious disputes in the village without the assistance of any council or resorting to the police or courts of law.

It is the custom to settle all religious and social disputes occurring among the inhabitants by arbitration.

These officers receive little pay for their services, but they are entitled to certain small shares or perquisites from the topes of the villages".

NOTE ON THE RAMPA AGENCY

EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT

M.R.Ry. V.N. SESHAGIRI RAO Avargal, B.A..

MADRAS PRESIDENCY