Background
ACCORD is an NGO based in the Niligiris and was founded in 1986 with a mission to “fight against the unjust alienation of the adivasi lands and other human rights violations by organising them as a strong group.” The area of operation is largely inhabited by tribal groups such as Paniyas, Kurumbas, Irulas,Kattu Naickens and Kothas, who have been working as landless labourers with little or no rights. ACCORD promoted sangams or village groups to organise these adivasis to protect their rights and demonstrate against the occupation of their traditional lands by outsiders. Some 200 sangams were federated and called as “Adivasi Munetra Sangam” or AMS and it severely protested against the injustice. Finally, when it achieved its goal, it subsequently became the representative body of the tribals to defend their cultural rights. The federation works closely with ACCORD and ASHWINI on various socio-economic development activities of the tribal groups. ASHWINI is the sister NGO of ACCORD and it is mostly managed and staffed by tribal youth.
Origin of the Scheme
During the implementation of the Community Health Programme by ACCORD, there was an increasing demand from the adivasis for a hospital. Finally, an adivasi hospital was set up in December 1990. Following this, ACCORD decided to insure the tribals, accessing health services in the hospital. It started negotiating with various national insurance companies and finally, made a deal with the New India Assurance Company (NIAC). In 1992, ACCORD launched the “Composite Tribal Health Insurance Package.”
