Pro-tribal law disturbs toddy tappers

Khammam, May 15: The toddy tappers in Agency area are distressed at tribals being allowed rights on palm trees through a 1970 regulation. They are planning to launch an agitation to urge the government to relax the rules to protect them from poverty. According to toddy tappers in 29 mandals in the area, the pro-tribal regulation was affecting their livelihood. Laws enacted by the government to protect toddy tappers in the state are not being implemented in the agency areas because of the act. Though they belong to the backward classes, the financial position of these toddy tappers is worse than that of scheduled tribes and scheduled castes in the agency area. When Mr Gajuala Lalaiah, toddy tapper, died recently after falling from a palm tree, the government did not provide any ex-gratia saying that rules were different in the agency areas. “The Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, promised to solve the issue, but took no steps,” said Mr Markam Lingaiah, president of district toddy tappers association. He added that thousands of families of toddy tappers have been facing dire poverty since the palm trees were under the control of tribals. “The government should relax the Act to save us from hunger,” said Mr Lingaiaih. “We are planning to take out an agitation over the issue.” Around 10,000 toddy tapper families have been living in the Tekulapalli, Yellandu, Burgumpahad, Bhadrachalam, Aswaraopet, Kothagudem and Manuguru mandals and all of them are in penury. The Telangana Rastra Samithi leader, Mr G.S. Rao, also urged the government to take initiative in relaxing the 1970 regulation regarding palm trees and provide five acre in each village to raise palm groves. “Toddy tapping is the profession and tradition of these families and it is difficult to them to change their occupation all of a sudden,” he said.

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