Food to Dying Vidarbha Tribals
Only 5% vidarbha tribals getting khawati benefits-Voilation of High court Directives-Hitvada ,Reports
Staff reporter :
Despite repeated directives by the Nagpur Bench of Mumbai high Court, the Tribal Welfare Ministry has not taken steps to check rising malnutrition and tribals in Vidarbha.
Though the government has started distribution of khawati to the tribals in the form of food and finance, only 5% of the eligible tribals are being offered the aid, specially in tribal areas in
Due the government’s decision, as many as 9,60,000 tribals in the region will be deprived of the khawati scheme benefit.
Under khawati scheme, 70% aid is provided in the form of food grains while 30% is given in cash. “ This reflects the government’s anti-tribal policy” said VJAS’ president Kishore Tiwari.
District-wise tribal beneficiaries under Khawati scheme
| District | Eligible tribals | Actual Benificiaries |
| Yavatamal Bhandara Chandrapur Gadchiroli | 1,81,113 1,96,000 1,82,000 1,92,000 2,60,000 | 9,460 13,216 8,530 8,400 11,510 |
| Total | 10,11,116 | 51,116 |
A division bench consisting of Justice Dilip Sinha and Justice A.P.Bhangala while hearing a letter petition filed by VJAS regarding implementation of khawati schemes in tribal areas, has given the verdict. However due to failure of official machinery to supply adequate foodgrains before onset of rainy season, malnutrition deaths have occurred in the districts. The Court had fixed May 31 as the deadline for distribution of the benefits under the scheme. Since not even a single penny was distributed under the scheme well-past the deadline, the Court slammed the government and it latter sprung to action.
VJAS has also warned of an agitation on August 15 if the demands are not fulfilled.
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