*Only YS Jagan’s Leadership can restore Justice to Tribals: YSRCP*

Tadepalli, August 9: YSRCP tribal leaders said justice, dignity and meaningful representation for Adivasis can be restored only with Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy returning as Chief Minister. The remarks were made during the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples celebrations held at the YSRCP Central Office under the leadership of Plains Area ST Cell President Gunda Surendra.

MLC and YSRCP General Secretary Lella Appi Reddy attended as chief guest, while tribal leaders from across the State participated in traditional dances, songs and floral tributes to tribal freedom fighters. Surendra said the day symbolised the protection of Adivasi rights, culture and traditions, and recalled the priority given to tribal welfare during the Y.S. Jagan Government.

He said the previous YSRCP Government established a separate ST Commission, converted 157 tandas and gudems into panchayats, distributed ROFR pattas covering about 3.20 lakh acres to 1.70 lakh beneficiaries and DKT pattas covering 38,200 acres to 25,300 beneficiaries. He also highlighted the ₹500-crore medical college at Paderu, ₹153-crore engineering college at Kurupam, multi-super-speciality hospitals under five ITDAs and the AP Tribal University at Salur across 561 acres. He said around ₹19,471 crore was delivered to tribal communities through DBT and non-DBT support during the five-year YSRCP tenure.

Tribal leaders said the coalition government had failed to honour its commitments, including on G.O. No. 3, TAC representation and tribal rights, and had betrayed Adivasi expectations. They recalled that after G.O. No. 3 was struck down, the YSRCP Government constituted a Cabinet sub-committee and pursued a review petition.

The leaders called for stronger protection of the 1/70 Act, establishment of ITDAs for plains-area tribals and united political mobilisation to protect Adivasi rights. They resolved to intensify their struggle against the coalition government and work towards bringing Y.S. Jagan back as Chief Minister.