Bhubaneswar: BJP Veteran Jual Oram alleged that though BJD Government remained in power for 25 long years has adopted ‘Anti-Tribal Mentality’ and has harmed the community at large.
Sri Oram addressed a Media Meet here and said the BJD government’s anti-tribal mentality was evident when the State Cabinet announced a decision to hand over the tribal land to industrialists and capitalists through the doors of the Tribal Advisory Council (TAC).
Not once has the 25-year-old BJD government shown any sympathy for the tribals, but has conspired to grab land. “I strongly condemn the actions of such a government and appeal to the people of Odisha to give a befitting reply to the BJP, anti-tribal and anti-development government in this election.
The Chief Minister is the Chairman of TAC and it is supposed to meet twice every year, but during entire tenure of Naveen Babu, it has met only twice in last 24 years. It is clear from this that how much the state government cares for the tribals? The Adivasis are supposed to benefit by receiving funding support from SC ST Finance Corporation at a lower interest rate. But it is a matter of regret that this State PSU has stopped lending, resulting huge financial stress for the Tribal Population, alleged Former Union Minister Tribal Affairs.
Similarly, the Tribal Development Corporation (TDCC) is supposed to collect minor forest produces but it has failed in its agenda, alleged he.
The Modi government has given Rs 25 crore for each panchayat samiti to set up Eklavya model schools in each panchayat. Unfortunately, the state government is not able to give land for these institutions, lamented Shri Oram.
With the efforts of the Central Government, the teaching of tribal languages is being done by creating varnabodha in Kui, Deshiya, Gadba, Juang, Kisan, Santali and Sauri languages of Odisha. Text material has been developed for teachers and students for teaching in the language.
Similarly, the state government is not ensuring fair price to the tribals of Odisha for minor forest produce (MFP). It is a matter of great regret that the Central Government is giving many schemes and financial grants for the development of the tribals, while the state government is siphoning it, he alleged.
State BJP Spokesperson Balabhadra Majhi, MLA Bhabani Bhoi, MLA Kusum Tete, General Secretary Purnima Kerketta were present at the Media Meet.