On Independence Day, members from the particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs) proudly raised the national flag in Kalyan Lowa and Ajay Puram. Adivasi Tribal Association leaders Marri Prasadhu and Pangi Suribabu expressed disappointment over the fact that even after 78 years of independence, approximately 50,000 individuals residing in 263 villages across eight tribal mandals in the agency area have not reaped the benefits outlined in the 5th and 6th schedules of the Indian Constitution.
Local residents emphasized the urgent requirement for basic infrastructure such as roads, clean water, electricity, and Anganwadi centers in PVTG villages. Marri Prasadhu highlighted the historical neglect of certain tribal regions dating back to the British era. In an attempt to rectify this, Parliament made amendments to the 5th Schedule of the Constitution in 1976, empowering the President of India to extend the scheduled areas. Despite directives from the central government for states to identify villages with significant tribal populations, no concrete steps have been taken so far, much to the disappointment of the community.
Furthermore, speakers raised concerns about the opposition to hydropower projects in tribal territories and the unauthorized occupation of tribal lands by non-tribal individuals.
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