Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu on Tuesday announced constitution of a committee involving officers from social welfare, rural
development, labour and personnel for improving the lot of the
Puroik community, earlier bonded labourers and commonly known
as Sullung.
To a private members’ resolution moved in Assembly,
Khandu said the committee would explore all possibilities for
mobilising funds, including from the Union government for the
purpose.
However, the Chief Minister said the downtrodden could
be brought to the mainstream if all sections of the society
including the elected members, government officers and
panchayat leaders worked conscientiously.
"What will be the use of the committee or funds if it
does not reach the targeted group?" he wondered.
The private member Bagang, who withdrew the resolution
later, advocated creation of a project director’s post of IAS
rank to be posted at Seppa in East Kameng district for the
socio-economic development of the Puroik community.
The community was declared as bonded labourers under
Sections 10 and 11 of the Bonded Labour Act, 1976 and
the Supreme Court order, and 3,542 of them were identified in
nine circles of East Kameng district in 1999.
The population of the Puroik community is around
10,735, spread in East Kameng, West Kameng, Papum Pare, Kurung
Kumey, Lower Subansiri and Upper Subansiri districts.
Earlier, minister Takar Marde informed that then DC
Ranbir Singh had appointed SS Yadav as assistant commissioner
and the Centre had given a one-time grant for rehabilitation
of the Puroiks in Dissing Paso circle.
Moreover, the state government had appointed Bupai
Puroik as EAC and set up the Arunodaya School for their
children, Marde said, and suggested formation of a committee.
Citing the example of Mechuka area, its MLA PD Sona
said that the society had accepted the bonded labourers and
given them equal status by involving them in all social
activities, thereby dispelling their sense of alienation.
The same principle should be followed for the
Puroiks, he advocated.
PTI
