YSR Congress has walked out of the Telangana Tribal Advisory Council (TAC) meeting as there was no proper representation from the Telangana Government’s side while there are numerous issues of tribals that need to be addressed.

“We walked out of the meeting along with CPI and CPM members from the TAC meeting as the minister and top officials were not present and the meeting was reduced to a mere formality,” Party MLA Payam Venkateswarlu told reporters here on Friday.

While there were many issues of tribals, particularly about podu cultivation in Khammam, Warangal, Adilabad and Mahbubnagar, the meeting was reduced to a mere formality with none of the top officials or the minister attending the meeting.

‘Tribal are being ignored by the TRS government in Telangana region as there is no proper review on development and welfare of tribals and the TAC meetings are to be held quarterly as stated by the Chief Minister but they are not being taking place ,” he said.

There are 12 tribal members in the Telangana assembly and the avenue to air their views was blunted with the absence of the concern minister and officials. The major demand of the tribals has been to issue pattas to the land taken up by traibals under podu cultivation. The State is still foisting cases against tribals and harassing them.

“During Dr.YSR term nearly 3 lakh tribals were benefitted by getting pattas to 7 lakh acres which was under podu cultivation and this government is insensitive to the issue,” he said and demanded that the TAC meeting should be held with all seriousness to discuss the major challenges being faced by tribals.