Jharsuguda, Dec 26: The 11th annual national conference of Akhil Bhartiya Gondwana Gond Mahasabha (ABGGM) was inaugurated by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at BTM Ground in Jharsuguda on Friday
Bargarh MP Prabhas Singh, WODC Chairman Kishore Kumar Mohanty, Brajrajnagar MLA Radharan Panda, Lift Irrigation Corporation Chairman Anup Kumar Sai, national president of ABGGM Sishupal Sori and Odisha Pradesh president Mahendra Naik were present. Thousands of delegates from 11 States across the nation participated in the conference.
Addressing the inaugural function, Chief Minister Patnaik said that the Gond tribes fought against Britishers and their struggle against imperialism is a glorious chapter in the freedom movement of India. Heaping praise on Gond tribes, Patnaik said that the Gond tribes are one of India’s most courageous and culturally rich tribes.
He added that the State Government is committed to the development of tribal areas and the Biju KBK scheme has been increased by Rs120 crore totalling to a Rs350 crore budget. The investment is going to be spent towards providing education, irrigation, farm assistance, communication and drinking water facilities to the inhabitants of tribal areas.
Patnaik assured that the Government will ensure continued patronage to the scheme with more fund if required. Patnaik also released a souvenir on the occasion and later felicitated the meritorious students of 11 districts. Later Patnaik inaugurated a school and hostel building of a newly renovated high school.
