Thursday, April 20 2006 15:32 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Adilabad(AP): Holding the Congress responsible for the plight of tribals across the country, BJP leader L K Advani today (Apr 20, 2006) demanded a comprehensive national tribal development policy to ensure livelihood security and land-ownership rights for them.

Addressing a press conference in this tribal-dominated Telangana town, Advani sought strict punitive measures to prevent tribal lands from being grabbed by non-tribals.

Stating that the NDA government had taken a historic decision in February 2004 to regularise ownership rights for tribals on forest lands up to December 31, 1993, the Leader of Opposition wondered why the UPA Government had not been able to remove legal hurdles in its implementation.

Calling for a comprehensive national tribal development policy, he said it should include steps to promote tribals' economic empowerment by supporting their engagement in horticulture, agro-forestry and value-addition on forest produce.

"Since Naxalites are exploiting tribals' disenchantment, improving responsiveness and efficacy of governance in tribal-populated regions must become a national priority," Advani said, rounding off the four-day Andhra Pradesh leg of his Bharat Suraksha Yatra, covering Rayalaseema and Telangana regions.

The BJP leader also called for stern measures to prevent religious conversion of tribals through inducement and coercion.

Advani later left for Vidarbha region in Maharashtra.