Report of the State Level Consultation on Land and Livelihood Rights to Dalits and Tribals in Tamilnadu, held at CESCI Madurai, on the 8th November 20

Report of the State Level Consultation on
Land and Livelihood Rights to Dalits and Tribals in
Tamilnadu, held at CESCI Madurai, on the 8th November 2010.
Introduction:
A state consultation on land and livelihood rights of Tribal’s and Dalits was organized jointly by ACTION AID Chennai, EKTA PARISHAD and RISE TRUST, Chennai at CESCI Madurai, on 8th November 2010. There were 71 participants from 22 districts of Tamilnadu and 2 districts of Pondichery participated in this consultation. The program began with a symbolic action of contributing a handful of rice and some money in a mud pot (hundi) in support to Janasatyagraha 2012.
Mr. A.Vinoth welcomed the gathering and Dr.S..N Subbarao ji, an eminent Gandhian and Director NYP (National youth Project) inaugurated the consultation. In his inaugural speech he made it clear that, we social workers have to commit ourselves to our cause, and need to strive to create a better society that has decentralized leadership and greater participation of women in decision making process. He also insisted that we follow the Gandhian way of leadership in all our struggles for creating a just society.
The National President of Ekta Parishad Shri.. P.V.Rajagopal, Mr.Subharao ji, a senior Gandhian leader, Mrs. Jill Carr Harris, advocacy activist, Rev.Y.David, PEAL Madurai and Mr.A.Vinoth General Secretary, Adi Tamilar Liberation Movement, participated in this consultation. They had given their valuable inputs on land and livelihood rights, climate change, food security, and the need of changes in Government policies.
Rajaji, explained the need of Janasatyagraha 2012 action and the efforts towards organizing it. He also explained the link between lack of control over livelihood resources like land, water and forest and poverty in India, and called the attention of the group to three important areas where we need immediate action.
1. Poor implementation of Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006
2. Non-implementation of National Land Reform Council’s recommendations
3. Speedy & effective implementation of anti poor laws such as Land Acquisition act for SEZ, Mines and Minerals act implementation in adivasi areas, National Agricultural act, Tiger sanctuaries etc.
He also insisted that we pressurize the central government to implement the pro poor laws through non-violent social actions. Ekta Parishad has started to pressurize the central government through nationwide active nonviolence struggles since the year 2009. It has yielded some good result such as formation of land reform council and enactment of FRA 2006. Though the act and implementation mechanism are in place, it is not sufficient in contemporary political and economic context. Therefore Ekta Parishad (EP) called for a nationwide action to pressurize the central government to implement the land related laws effectively. These nationwide actions are now culminating in a big struggle in the name of Janastayagraha 2012 in which 1 lakh satyagrahi’s from all over India and international participants will participate in a foot march from Gwalior to Delhi.
Conducting JS 2012 is not a one time activity. It is an ongoing struggle of marginalized people such as Dalits, Adivasis and other deprived communities. JS 2012 comprises three level of actions. First level of action is mobilization of satyagrahi’s and creation of mass opinion towards JS 2012. The second level of action is to carry out non-violent actions district level in all states- before and during the time of JS 2012. Third level of action is to take part in JS 2012 peace march from Gwalior to New Delhi that starts from October 2nd, 2012. These three levels of actions will create a platform in each state to build a peoples movement in their respective states.
Rajaji explained the mobilization structure planned for the JS 2012 action and based on the model, the group went for the group discussion for state mobilization for JS 2012. End of the group discussion state level plan were presented
To organize a people’ movement of such a scale, a four level leadership structure has been developed. At the top of this leadership structure are the camp leaders or shivir nayaks who are responsible for mobilizing 5000 people. They will do this by supporting, training and managing 10 second level leaders called group leaders or dal nayaks. The dal nayaks will be responsible for training, supporting and managing 10 third level leaders called section leaders or jatta nayaks. The jatta nayaks will take the responsibility of training, supporting and managing 5 fourth level leaders called village leaders or dasta nayaks. The dasta nayaks will take the responsibility of mobilizing and managing 10 satyagrahis from their villages.
Group Discussion and Presentation
The group was asked to share their experiences, problems, needs, challenges and concerns tribal’s and Dalits in the areas they work. Seven sector wise groups were formed to disuse issues and problems. The group reports were presented in a plenary session.
1. Land issues of tribal’s

There are approximately 6,51,321 adivasis are living in 18 districts, 36 settlements in the state of Tamil Nadu. The tribal community constitutes 0.85% of the total population in Tamilnadu. Their livelihood resources are impacted by development projects like formation of special economic zones (SEZ), tourism development, wild animal’s sanctuary, hydro projects, mining industries, factories and other projects. When these projects are implemented the native tribals are forcibly sent out of their habitations.

Proposed actions:
Proper Implementation of FRA; Forest Rights Act of 2006 was implemented since 1.1.2008. According to this act, traditional Gram Sabah meetings should be conducted and tribals should not be sent out from the places of their dwellings. All three provisions of act have to be implemented. The following actions are proposed:
 Divisional monitoring term, district monitoring team and state level monitoring team should be formulated to help tribals
 Adivasis should be educated about Schedule A- about forest rights form
 Adivasis should be educated about Schedule B- about social rights form
As per sub clause, section A and bylaws, Govt has to give 4 hectares (10 acres) of land for their use, government order 1 to 35 should be implemented without fail. From those who own more than 10 acres of land, Govt has to take over the lands over 10 acres and redistributed to other landless Advasis’s family’s.
2. Land issues of Dalits
Land issues of dalits are very serious in the state of Tamilnadu. 20% of populations are Dalits. 70% of Dalits are landless and homeless. Dalit families were forcefully evicted by the government in the name of development. The Panchami land records was not properly maintained by the Revenue department. Tittle owner of dalits not having possession on Panchami Lands so called Deland (depressed class land) Out of 12 lakhs acres of D.C land distributed to Dalits by British government, now Dalits possess only 2 lakh acres of land. The required documents about panchami land are also not with the government. During boomidhan movement of Vinobhave, the land that was acquired is currently not in government’s possession. The government of Tamil Nadu did not distribute the promised 2 acres of lands to the landless Dalits. Dalits have been living on government lands without pattas. This means that they have no ownership, are susceptible to exploitation and are akin to living in no man’s lands. In spite of their repeated request, housing Patta was not given. In Tamilnadu capital city Chennai, dalits are forcely thrown out by evitictions.
Proposed actions:
• In every Taluk office, the details of D.C land dalits should be notified at the notice board.
• Restored DC land from non-dalits and to distribution of all Panchami lands to dalit families.
• The porampoke (Govt) land and the unused lands should be distributed to Dalits. Cultivation with irrigation facility to give priority on …. Land scheme and
• 2 acres land has to distribute to the landless agricultural laborers among dalit community.
• The statistics of 12 lakhs acres of Panchami land shoud be released and distribute to the dalits.
• The forest land, revenue land, Panchami (D.C.land), waste land, Trust land, community land , government land and similar other lands that are encroached should be redeemed and distributed to Dalits.
• DC lands are restored and to be canceled the registration, as per the conditions of DC Lands.
• To be appoint a Justice commission for enquired on DC lands
• Under special component plan, land should be distributed to Dalits, and allocation of SCP money fully used for the welfare and development of SC/ST community. Should not to be diverted to other Govt. schemes.
3. Land grabbing & Encroachment in the name of development plans and industrialization
The multinational companies, corporate sectors and the government for some development plans have been forcefully encroaching, lands, lakes (water sources) and the seashores. Due to this, national resources, environment and the forest species are severely affected. People’s dwelling places are snatched, they are evicted forcefully and their lands were taken back by government. Due compensation as per the market rate was also not given.
 New legislations have to enacted to prevent such encroachments
 To be get concert from the community before the Govt. scheme are being implemented.
 People should be consulted when such development plans are being planned
 Government should not give license to start new industries for the next 25 years in Agri land.
 Under existing laws, government can ignore laws that obstruct acquisition of land for certain development plans. Land acquired through such a provision should be given back to the community and these provisions have to be cancelled.

4. Non implemented land reformation legislation

A number of land reformation legislation have been formulated but they are not been properly implemented by government. These acts should be implemented immediately
5. Land encroachment of Mafia group
Natural resources like sand, granites and mineral deposits are being encroached unlawfully by groups like lorry companies, politicians, real estate promoters, tourism companies, hotel groups and land smugglers. They should be stopped. Government has to protect such natural resources and fertile lands.
6. Women and land rights
Land rights to around 50% of women are being denied. 50% of the family property should be in the name of women. Under free land distribution scheme, the allotted lands should be in the joint names of both husband and wife.
Women farmers should be recognized by government and they should be given priorities for agricultural development program.
Priority should be given to widows and destitute women in the context of land distribution, schemes.
The rain fed lands cultivated by the women should be provided irrigation facilities
On the context of land registration in the name of woman, subsidiary has to be provided by the government.