Odisha Model in Tribal Development: Minister
Bhubaneswar: According to Article 4 of the Constitution, the Tribal Advisory Council (TAC) is a statutory body that decides on tribal issues across the country. The proposal came to the Cabinet after the TAC examined the matter and approved it, as tribals cannot mortgage their land and engage in any other activity other than farming. The MLAs of all parties supported this proposal in the TAC meeting held on July 11, 2023. Revenue Minister Sudam March has made such a statement on the dispute over tribal land transfer, then the Cabinet has decided to send the matter to the TC for further study and evaluation. He continued to give an answer to the media and said that the government under the leadership of Chief Minister Naveen Pattnaik has always worked for the development and protection of the interests of tribals. Owing to the foresight and sincere efforts of the Chief Minister, Odisha has today become a model state in the field of tribal development.
In this regard, many initiatives of the state government have also been praised across the country. Odisha is the only state in the country to have established a special development council for the protection and promotion of tribal art and culture. 84 lakh tribals are benefited by SDC in 23 districts. 5.5 lakh tribal students are being provided education with free hostel facilities in the state. Odisha has the highest number of ST circles in the country. The state government has taken steps to provide 100% free education to tribal students studying in government medical colleges and engineering colleges. About 4 lakh forest land has been allotted in our state under the Rights Act. Under Chief Minister Janajat Jika, about 500 crores are being spent through 22 ITDAs in 119 TSP blocks. Odisha is the first state in the country to implement the Millet Mission. The largest number of farmers cultivating millet, the tribal Bergara Lakshmi Yojana, was first launched by the chief minister from the tribal-affected district.
Accusing the Centre, the minister said that our government has been demanding the inclusion of Ho, Munchari, Hiruji, Saura and Kui languages in the last paragraph of the constitution. Even though it has not been accepted till now, the chief minister has written several letters to the central government but to no avail. Around 10 lakh people in the state, most of whom are tribal women, are dependent on the pennants. Despite the Chief Minister repeatedly writing to the Center to withdraw the 18 percent GST from Kendalaya, no action is being taken in this regard. As a result, the Chief Minister has announced a special package to solve their problems. The minister further said that our government is working with determination and sincerity for the development of tribals. It is not fair for our simple tribal brothers and sisters that the conflict is being created through wrong information.
