He is a tribal leader who made his debut in public life in 1990. Jual Oram made history when he became the Tribal Affairs Minister in the Vajpayee Government. He was the BJP’s sole winner to lok Sabha in Odisha in 2014 being elected from his Sundargarh constituency. He had opened his innings to the State Assembly from the Bonai constituency in 1990. His political activities continued waxing. Oram played a yeoman’s role in strengthening the BJP during his tenure as the party’s State president. He was elected as a lok Sabha member four times in 1998, 1999, 2004 and 2014 from Sundargarh. Oram often appears more humble than humility itself, but at the same time he can be stern while it comes to the issue of rendering services to his people. He proved the iron behind his soul in opposing the Naveen Patnaik Government on the issue of leasing out Khandadhar iron ore mines to the South Korean steel giant Posco and eventually hugged limelight. Oram’s opposition to the Patnaik Government came at a time when his party was ruling in tandem with the BJD that substantiated his commitment to the interest of the tribals. His victory in 2014 by humbling former hockey captain Dilip Tirkey paved his way to secure a berth for himself in the Modi Cabinet. In an interview to The Pioneer, Oram spoke to Sugyan Choudhury on a wide range of issues.
What are your visions for upliftment of tribalsIJ
We shall strive to remove the gap in Human Development Indices (HDIs) of ST population vis-à-vis general population and help empower them socially and economically.
What are your missions under the Tribal Affairs MinistryIJ
The Ministry is fully committed to enhance the wellbeing of all STs in the country through (i) formulation and promotion of legislative and Executive interventions; (ii) facilitating upgradation of levels of administration in Scheduled Areas through area and population-targeted approach; and (iii) furthering creation of basic infrastructure for increasing livelihood opportunities and for providing nutritional support, education, essential skills and a social safety net for situations of climatic and other distress conditions.
What were the aims and objectives of the National Tribal Carnival held in New Delhi in 2016IJ
The Tribal Carnival 2016 was organised during 25-28 October, 2016 with a view to strengthening Government efforts towards preservation of rich cultural heritage of the tribals and to invigorate the Indian society towards a holistic development of tribal people. The carnival successfully showcased glimpses of rich cultural heritage of tribal people, tribal ways of life including their culture, tradition and customs to general population in the country. It also fostered tribal spirit and a sense of pride amongst the tribal populace. It was successful in stimulating national integration and sensitivity towards the tribal community in a befitting manner showcasing the Government’s commitment for “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas”.
Do you think the BJP will come to power in Odisha in 2019IJ
Yes, of course. We will secure a decisive victory over the State’s ruling party in 2019. Our party president Amit Shah is confident of the BJP winning over 120 Assembly seats.
What is the basis of the permutations and combinations of Shah’s logicIJ
That is the strategic policy of any political party which cannot be divulged. Amit Shah has employed the policy and we have reaped a rich bonanza of our success stories in our electoral battles in UP, Assam, Goa and elsewhere. Out of our party president’s long, long experience, we are sure to work under his direction and will achieve sanguine success in the electoral battle in 2019 in Odisha.
Are you hopeful of overcoming the internal squabbles and dissensions within your partyIJ
Truly speaking, there are no political dissensions within our party. Veteran leaders like Bijay Mohapatra and Dilip Ray are neglected in your party as reported by political observers. What’s your response to thisIJ
Who says that they are neglectedIJ
I often meet them and am in regular touch with them. They are within the party and are working for it. They are busy in their works. It doesn’t necessarily mean that as leaders they will join all programmes and public meetings of the party. You journalists are reading too much into it.
The Asian Athletics was a splendid success in Odisha. What is your responseIJ
Who says it was a successIJ I should say it was a splendid failure. Today, it has also come out in many papers. A good many of athletes who have represented in the State, national and international levels were ignored by the Government of Odisha. The Chief Minister used it as a BJD show. There were not proper coordination and enough premeditation. Passes were even denied to deserving persons including journalists. Only some officers ruled the roost and had their field days. The spectre of corruption cannot possibly be ruled out from such a great event!
What are the plans on your agenda for development of Odisha in the national scenarioIJ
You know IOCl, NISER, IIIT, IIM, AIIMS and many such other institutions of national importance all started during Vajpayeeji’s regime. In other words, whatever development of Odisha has been undertaken, it was or is during the BJP’s tenure. We are also trying to improve railways
in Odisha.
The State Government often alleges stories of neglect by the Central Government. What’s your responseIJ
They are just spreading cock and bull stories alleging the Central Government’s neglect. You see our party president Amit Shah has categorically stated that during the last three years, the Centre has pumped more funds into Odisha than the State received in the last thirty years. Central funds are usually refunded by the Odisha Government being not utilised for welfare of the people.
What are the visible welfare measures taken under ModijiIJ
During the last three years of the Modi rule, our popular PM has undertaken 92 ambitious plans and programmes all being successful. Twenty-eight crores of people opened their bank accounts under the Janadhan programme. Eighteen thousand left-out villages were electrified in 1,000 days. Under the Swachh Bharat Yojana, toilets were provided to city dwellers and to schools and colleges. Under the food security programme, the Centre is providing Rs 27 per kg. All these and many more such programmes including the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana are implemented. Are these small, trifle stories of successIJ
What about your own departmentIJ
In our department, after my takeover I have increased the number of Ekalabya model residential schools throughout the country. Stipends are directly released to the students for making their studies hassle-free without any middleman playing any dirty game of embezzlement. Our department has undertaken direct transfer of cash and subsidy and the like.
Did the Government not extend a warm invitation to CM Naveen Patnaik for the Dhamra lNG terminal functionIJ
You know pretty well the advertisement displayed regarding his joining the IOCl function as a hon’ble guest. But the CM did not join us on the day. Probably, he could not rise above his party’s partisan stand. However, we always invite him with large hearts.
What’s your response to Naveen Patnaik’s support to the NDA’s presidential candidateIJ
We welcome his stand for the Presidential nominee as he has done so in the larger national interest.