The Central Government is contemplating introduction of various skill development and livelihood programmes for sustainable growth of trbals, said Union Tribal Affairs Secretary Dr Hrushikesh Panda after reviewing development programmes in Rayagada district on Saturday.
“The Centre is planning to impart auxiliary nurse and midwife (ANM) training to tribal girls from the Dongria community so that they can be provided with jobs,” Panda informed. The Ekalabya Model Residential Schools would be set up for providing education to tribal dropout students from Class-VI during the summer vacations. This initiative aims to serve the tribal population of the State so that they avail best opportunities in education at par with the nontribal students, he said.
Stressing on the livestock development programme, Panda laid emphasis on cattle farming and vegetable cultivation for sustainable development of Dongria women. He said the Central Government would soon launch a livelihood programme for tribal women. While reviewing various development programmes undertaken in the district for development of tribals, Panda interacted with Dongria Kondhs on various issues at Chatikona under Bisamkatak block. The Dongria Kondhs, a primitive section of the tribes, assembled at the Dongria Kondh Development Agency office here.
The tribals put forth their demands before the Union Tribal Affairs Secretary for construction of a high school and a hostel at Kurli. Panda said he would apprise the Government of these demands. later, Panda reviewed various projects under the Odisha Tribal Empowerment and livelihoods Programme (OTlP) under the SC & ST Development Department of the State Government.
The OTlP focuses on tribal empowerment through food security, increasing their incomes and improving their overall quality of live by efficient use of natural resource based on the principles of improved watershed management and more productive and environmentally-sound agricultural practices through enterprise development.