Accepting a decade-old demand of the Tharus living along Indo-Nepal border, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath declared that all the van grams (forest villages) will be converted into revenue villages after making required amendments in the Act.
The CM made this announcement in Pachpedva block in Balrampur district where he had gone to take part in Maharana Pratap Jyanti organised by the Deen Dayal Shodh Sansthan on Sunday.
“There is a long pending demand from the villagers to convert van grams into revenue villages because they were missing out on certain Government Schemes. The BJP Government will initiate steps to convert van grams into revenue villages. If needed, we will carry out required amendments in the Act,” the Chief Minister said.
He also declared that Government will set up a museum to preserve the culture of Tharus in India. “The Tharus have a vibrant tribal culture but people outside this region do not know about this. We will not only preserve their culture but also showcase it in this proposed museum,” Yogi said.
The block where Chief Minister went on Sunday is dominated by Tharus — tribals who consider themselves to be the descendants of Rajpur warrior Maharana Pratap. CM also offered floral tributes to the statue of the Rajput king and recalled his contributions.
“Maharana Pratap is a role model for the Indian youth. The Tharus are true descendants of Maharana Paratap and is gauged by the fact that they are the true defenders of the nation at the porous Indo-Nepal border. Because of you (Tharus) people in other parts of the State can sleep in peace," Yogi said.
He also saw an exhibition put up by members of the Tharu tribe. CM declared that scholarship for Tharu students that was closed by previous Samajwadi Party Government will resume soon. “The region will get an intermediate school and social welfare department will start development projects in this region soon.