19 Sep ; Forest Minister and In-Charge minister of Betul district Shri Sartaj Singh said that poverty of tribal communities will be wiped out through the forests and the schemes run by the forest department. He said that the tribal communities have the right to lead a life with respect and participate in the development of the country. Shri Sartaj Singh was addressing a function organized for distribution of tendu patta bonus to the tendu patta collectors at Bhimpur development block headquarters in Betul district the other day. Member of Parliament Smt. Yoti Dhurve, MLA from Betul Shri Alkesh Arya, MLA from Ghodadongri Smt. Gita Uikey, MLA from Bhainsdehi Shri Dharmusingh Sirsam and villagers in large number were present.
The Forest Minister said the forests have the capacity to wipe out poverty of the forest dwellers. The tribal communities will be asked to plant saplings in the forest area and the profit will be given to them only. He said that the tribals will be paid Rs 2500 per month for maintaining of bamboo saplings and when the bamboo grow up percentage of profit from bamboo selling will be given to them. He said that wherever there are possibilities of tusser production planting of sagon and bamboo saplings, the tribal communities will be encouraged to produce tussar and plant saplings.
Shri Sartaj Singh said that arrangements will be made soon to supply ration and kerosene through gram committees and forest committees so that the forest dwellers get ration and kerosene on fair price rates. He said that forest department employees will cooperate with the tribals to prepare application for including name of poor tribals under below poverty line category. The forest minister said that arrangement for treatment of persons belonging to tribal communities and forest dwellers will be made in their villages itself.