Port Blair, June 26: CPI (M) has demanded creation of an Autonomous Tribal Council for Nicobar District on the lines of Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council. In the Memorandum submitted to the Home Secretary, Govt. of India on 23rd June 2023 in Delhi, D. Ayyappan, Secretary, CPI (M) Andaman & Nicobar State Organising Committee stated that after the 73rd Constitution (Amendment) Act, 1992 came into being, the people of the country have got a direct participation in the governance of the local bodies. Panchayat-raj institutions were reorganized in the 3-tier system with entire participation of the people in the implementation of the welfare measures initiated by the governments.
CPI (M) Secretary submitted before the Home Secretary that in Andaman & Nicobar Islands, though the 3-tier Panchayat-raj Institutions have been created, the tribal people of Nicobar District have been denied of the participation in the local self-governance. While the Government of India had made special provision in the Constitution of India for the welfare of the tribals in the north eastern states including creation of autonomous tribal councils, the Nicobari tribals in the Nicobar District have been denied of such benefits.
Ayyappan stated in his letter that even after 76 years of our independence, the Nicobar District remains as a most backward area in the country. Nicobari tribals have no say in the grassroot level affairs of the governance in the Nicobar District. The present system of Tribal Councils does not have any executive or financial power and implementation of the welfare measures are being undertaken by the government officers at their will and wish. CPI (M) is of the opinion that participation of the Nicobari tribals can be ensured only through creation of an Autonomous Tribal Council for Nicobar District. There are approximately 30,000 Nicobari Tribals in the Nicobars District. The entire District of Nicobars, except Great Nicobar Island is a tribal area.
Hence, CPI (M) urged the Home Secretary, Govt. of India to take necessary steps to create a Autonomous Tribal Council for Nicobar District on the lines of Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council so that Nicobari tribals can be involved in the implementation of welfare schemes at the grass-root level in their District which will definitely improve the standard of living of the tribal community and overall development of the tribal Nicobar District.