Thrissur, June 07: Adivasi Gothra Mahasabha (AGMs) leader M Geethanandan today called for the implementation of the provisions of Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, before giving land to the tribals. Inaugurating the two-day Bahujan Van Shakti state convention here, Geetanandan said unless the act was implemented, the tribals would not have the right on the land allotted to them and its resources.
The implementation of the act would empower the tribals and other settlers in the land to constitute Gothra panchayats with self governing powers over the area, he added.
Except Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karntaka and West Bengal, all other states have enforced the act, he said.
Bureau Report