Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said the tribal communities would no longer remain deprived but get all their rights in Uttar Pradesh, including housing, water, and power among others. Greeting citizens on the occasion of ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas’ to celebrate the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda in Sonbhadra, the CM said: “The tribal communities were always neglected by the previous governments, but now the Central and state governments are working together with full commitment to ensure their rights. The government has decided whether it is Tharu, Cheru, Kol, Musahar, Buiya, Ahariya or any other caste or tribe, they will be given land patta (record of rights) under the Forest Rights Act, 2006 and housing under PM Awas Yojana or CM Awas Yojana.”
The chief minister launched 233 projects worth Rs 575 crore and distributed ‘land pattas’. He also launched a coffee-table book based on 12 tribes. Earlier, he performed ‘annaprashan’ for a few young children and also visited an exhibition of local goods.
Paying tributes to Birsa Munda, an iconic tribal leader, Yogi Adityanath said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared November 15th (birth anniversary of Birsa Munda) as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas. We are grateful to him as it is because of him that we are getting connected to our glorious traditions. I extend my heartfelt greetings on this occasion.”
Describing the rich cultural heritage of Sonbhadra, the CM said it is the only district in the country that has 13 tribes residing here, including Tharu, Buksa, Gaur, Kharwar, Sahariya, Paraiya, Bega, Panika, Agaria, Patari, Cheru, and Bhuiya amongst others.
“Sonbhadra has the distinction of having survived the onslaught of nature since time immemorial,” he remarked.
Speaking about the tribal communities, the CM said they are not only protecting and preserving the forests, but also expanding them for the well-being of humanity at large.
“Prior to independence, these communities were tortured. Rani Durgavati and Birsa Munda sacrificed their lives during the freedom struggle. After the BJP government came to power in UP in 2017, the Vantangiya village got the status of a revenue village. For the first time, an election was held and the Vantangiyas got their voting rights,” he pointed out.
The CM went on to say that in the last 70 years (from 1947 to 2017), no gram pradhan had been chosen, nor did people have any access to ration cards, roads, power, schools, or social programmes. “However, many facilities have been provided in these villages in the last few years. Our government also named the medical college of Banda after Maharani Durgavati,” he added.
Stating that development is the prime objective of the government, the CM said, “Our representatives are constantly working in this regard and as a result, a medical college is being constructed in Sonbhadra. The ‘Har Ghar Nal’ scheme is also being implemented.”
“Today, electricity is being delivered to you. Solar panels are being supplied to areas where there was a delivery issue. The connectivity in the state has improved. Besides, where the construction of roads was stalled owing to lack of NOC, the district administration and Forest department are working together to obtain the NOC and carry forward development programmes.”
“Eklavya and Ashram schools are being constructed whereas free coaching is being provided to SC/ST and general category children through Abhyudaya coaching,” Yogi pointed out.
The CM extended gratitude to ‘Seva Samarpan Sansthan’ and said the organisation has worked sincerely for the rights of tribals by connecting them to the mainstream after independence.
Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Social Welfare and Scheduled Castes and Tribes Welfare Asim Arun, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Forest and Environment Dr Arun Kumar Saxena, Minister of State Sanjeev Kumar Gond, Robertsganj MP Pakori Lal Kol, Rajya Sabha MP Shakal and local legislators were present in the programme.
