The Odisha Government has decided to provide relief to tribals ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly polls with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday ordering the withdrawal of cases of petty offences pending against people of Scheduled Tribes (ST) community.
The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) in an official statement said that withdrawal of minor cases will reduce the burden on the Courts and the judicial system.
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It’s pertinent to note here that tribal communities comprise around 23 per cent of the State’s population as per the census conducted last time.
The Home, Excise and Forest & Environment Departments had earlier reviewed the petty cases registered against the tribal men and women after the Chief Minister had issued directions in this regard.
After thorough review, the Government has decided to withdraw 48,018 such cases, in which tribals are facing trial.
Little knowing the complexities of legal proceedings, tribals are found breaking the law. The cases drag on years putting immense mental and financial burden on them.
Of these cases, 36,581 come under the Excise Department, 9,846 cases under the Home Department, and 1,591 cases under the Forest & Environment Department, said CMO’s statement.
The State government had earlier withdrawn its decision to amend a law, allowing the Scheduled Tribe (ST) people to transfer their land to non-tribals after the cabinet decision had sparked widespread criticism.
