ST, tribal bodies meet Arjun Munda regarding the demands of salary hike. Guwahati News – Times of India

GUWAHATI: Prominent tribal organizations of Assam met Union Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda on a two-day visit to the state on Sunday with their demand for grant of Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to tea tribes and increasing their numbers. Daily wages of tea garden workers.
A delegation led by All Adivasi Students’ Association of Assam (ASA) Vice President Melkhas Toppo and Tribal National Conference (ANC) leader Birsing Munda met Arjun Munda and later said that the minister had informed him that the Prime Minister had asked him to Assured that they are committed to the interests of tribals and are working on the details for speedy resolution of ST issue.
Birsing said, “We apprised the Union Minister of the plight of the tribal community and their deteriorating economic and social condition due to low wages, lack of education, health and employment facilities, no land and continued political exploitation even after 75 years of independence. ” Munda, ANC General Secretary.
Further, he told them about the devastating impact of the pandemic on their livelihood and survival. Birsing said, “The tea industry is facing a big challenge under Covid and due to the import of tea. Tea prices have come down to the lowest level in the auction. It is high time the government addresses these issues.” ”
On Monday, TRISSAM, a brand outlet under the Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY) scheme and website, was inaugurated by the Minister at the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE). The objective of PMVDY scheme is to empower the underprivileged tribal communities to make them self-reliant. With this scheme tribal forest dwellers can earn their livelihood by selling forest produce.
The PMVDY scheme is implemented by the Assam Saada Tribes Development Corporation, with the welfare of Saada tribes and backward classes as the nodal agency. The scheme is currently in its second phase of implementation, where around 30,000 tribal beneficiaries are engaged in production of value added products, getting trained under various entrepreneurship development schemes and earning their livelihood. Their products are being circulated in the retail market by empaneled marketing agencies.