New Delhi, 09 August (H.S.):

The Akhil Bharatiya Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram has sought a two-month extension for the committee constituted to define the Aravalli mountain range, saying that the existing 20-day timeframe is insufficient for conducting comprehensive and meaningful consultations. The organisation has urged the committee to undertake extensive consultations with all stakeholders before finalising its recommendations.

In a letter sent to the chairman of the committee on August 2, the Akhil Bharatiya Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram said that a large number of tribal communities reside in the Aravalli regions of Rajasthan and Gujarat. The organisation also pointed out that the area falls under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution. It therefore urged the committee to undertake extensive field visits to the affected regions.

The organisation, which works for the welfare of forest-dwelling and tribal communities, has also called for wide publicity of the committee's regional visits in Hindi and Gujarati. It said information about the consultation process should also reach the affected gram panchayats.

The Ashram further called for extensive consultations with the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes. The letter stated that consultation with the commission is necessary on policy matters concerning tribal communities under Article 338A of the Constitution.

The organisation has also sought a simpler mechanism for submitting suggestions. It recommended that representations be accepted in Hindi, Gujarati and English, while also providing an option for stakeholders to submit written suggestions by post.

The committee was constituted following directions from the Supreme Court to undertake the process of defining the Aravalli mountain range.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar