The Ministries of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) and Rural Development (MoRD) would soon make joint efforts to reduce poverty among tribal people in 14 districts in Odisha.

The joint efforts would benefit over 76.40 lakh tribals in the priority districts of Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Sundargarh, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nuapada, Jharsuguda, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri and Nabarangpur.

Tribal people would be benefitted under the convergence opportunities between the Deendayal Antydaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) MoRD and Grants of MoTA.

This programme would ensure substantial reduction in poverty and unemployment among the tribal households through skill up-gradation and other income generating opportunities, creation of backward and forward linkages and linkage with institutional finance for sustained income generation and creation of productive assets.

Priority would be given on agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, fisheries, dairy and allied activities in primary sector to augment income of tribal households.

The DAY-NRLM would promote tribal WSHGs.

Convergence of DAY-NRLM and MoTA schemes will work towards improvement of economic opportunities for the rural poor tribal population.

The MoTA would support marketing of the produce from the SHGs and producers’ group through its marketing network.

Particularly Vulnerable Tribes Group (PVTG) will be identified by the State Government and their economic development would be planned through strengthening of traditional livelihood.

Under the Van Dhan Yojana (VDY), priority would be given for inclusion of SHGs and PVTG members for their livelihood development.

Common livelihood asset (tangible) creation would be given priority, said officials.

It was all revealed at a related executive committee meeting presided over by Chief Secretary Asit Padhi. The commit would soon send proposals to the MoTA for approval, said the Chief Secretary.