“We are assuring the poor people that even though the central government has stopped funding, the state government will provide money for housing,” said West Bengal Forest Minister Birbaha Hansda. File
West Bengal Minister for Forests, Self-Help Groups and Self-Employment Birbaha Hansda, who is contesting the Assembly Binpursays the proposed Uniform Civil Code threatens tribal traditions and autonomy. In an interview with The Hindu, he talks about representation, lack of jobs, forest-based livelihoods and why he believes employment must be driven by small-scale industries and local knowledge.
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Published – 15 Apr 2026 22:18 IST
