Govt urged to raise budgetary allocation for indigenous people

The government has been urged to increase budgetary allocation for the indigenous people.
Speakers made the appeal while addressing a human chain organised by Bangladesh Adivasi Chhatra Sangram Parishad (BACSP) in the city on Sunday, reports UNB.
Some other forums of the indigenous people, including Bangladesh Indigenous People's Forum, took part in the human chain expressing their solidarity with the demand.
An amount of Tk 7.35 billion was allocated in the current budget for the wellbeing of 3.0 million indigenous people who account for two per cent of the country's total population, the speakers pointed out.
However, the allocation for the plain-land indigenous people who are two-thirds of the total Adivasis is only Tk 160 million, they deplored.
They demanded that a minimum amount of Tk 100 billion is earmarked for the Pahari and plain-land indigenous people in the upcoming budget.
The speakers also demanded establishing a separate ministry and a land commission for the plain-land indigenous people.
They further urged the government to fully implement the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord, stop land grabbing and torture by Bangalee settlers and Army.
Among others, BACSP President Ananta Dhamai, President of United National Awami Party (NAP) Pankaj Bhattacharya and General Secretary of Bangladesh Indigenous People's Forum Sanjib Drong addressed the human chain.