Governor Dr SC Jamir on Saturday said a number of welfare programmes have brought improvement in the lives of tribal people, but the pace of progress could not be as desired even after 69 years of country’s Independence.
He asked for an in-depth study at the ground level to make planning and approach meet actual needs of tribal people and deliver the results.
Dr Jamir convened a meeting on “Tribal Development in Odisha” in Raj Bhavan on Saturday. The meeting was attended by ST and SC Development, Minorities and Backward Classes Welfare Minister lal Bihari Himirika, Commissioner-cum-Secretary Surendra Kumar, Director, ST R Raghu Prasad, Managing Director, TDCC Susanta Nanda and other senior officials of the department.
Regarding approach of the administration, the Governor said officials and staff posted in tribal areas should attempt to clearly explain and convince tribal people on any measure taken for their welfare to get all support and cooperation from them for successful implementation of the Government programmes.
Minister Himirika said that the State Government is committed to the development of tribal people and has implemented several programmes and steps like distribution of land pattas, a step first in the country and different livelihood support programmes.
Regarding emphasis on education for development of tribal children, he said the Government has constructed over 3,000 hostels and introduced stipend, pre- and post- matric scholarship. He further said ST schools are doing better than general schools and now English medium education from Class one to 10th will be imparted to tribal children as part of urban education programme.
Principal Secretary to Governor CJ Venugopal read out the action points for tribal development in the State. Constitution of Tribal Welfare Cell at Raj Bhavan to oversee the constitutional responsibilities under Schedule V to the Constitution, strengthening the institutions of Odisha Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Finance Development Corporations and Tribal Development Cooperative Corporations (TDCCs) and further activating Tribes Advisory Council were discussed among others.
Commissioner-cum-Secretary Surendra Kumar presented a detailed account of steps taken in education for tribal children, increase in reservation of seats for ST and SC students in higher education including medical and engineering, separate recruitment drive to fill up backlog vacancies from reserved categories and long term livelihood interventions. He emphasised on bringing social equality to remove social backwardness for tribals.