Shimla, Sept. 30 -- The Revenue, Horticulture and Tribal Development Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Jagat Singh Negi, has stepped up his criticism over the prolonged delay in the implementation of Nautor land provisions in the state's tribal areas, saying the issue concerns the economic rights of tribal communities and questioning the continued pendency of the matter before Governor Kavinder Gupta.

Negi said tribal people had already begun a "Nautor Yatra" to press for implementation of the provisions and asserted that the agitation was not merely a political programme but an expression of growing concern among people waiting for land allotment.

The Minister said the Nautor system was governed by rules framed by the state and pointed out...