National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) Chairman Antar Singh Arya said the Commission has reviewed the implementation of tribal welfare programmes and constitutional safeguards in Andhra Pradesh, with a special focus on the eradication of sickle cell anaemia and effective implementation of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA).
Addressing a press conference in Vijayawada today, Mr. Arya said the Commission conducted field visits to tribal areas and interacted with tribal communities, public representatives and stakeholders to assess the status of welfare initiatives and gather feedback on issues affecting Scheduled Tribes.
He said the Centre is giving priority to the prevention and eradication of sickle cell anaemia in tribal regions through awareness, screening and healthcare interventions. The Commission is monitoring the implementation of these measures to ensure better health outcomes for tribal communities, he added.
Emphasising the importance of PESA, Mr. Arya said effective implementation of the legislation is essential for strengthening self-governance and ensuring greater participation of tribal communities in local decision-making processes.
The NCST Chairman said feedback collected during the field visits would be compiled into a comprehensive report and submitted to the State government for necessary action. He added that issues related to tribal welfare, implementation of development programmes, PESA and healthcare initiatives would be discussed in detail during a high-level review meeting with senior State officials.
Mr. Arya said the Commission remains committed to safeguarding the rights of Scheduled Tribes and ensuring that welfare programmes reach beneficiaries effectively and contribute to the overall development of tribal communities.
