Bhubaneswar: July 11: Odisha Government has taken a decision to provide Rs.50 K One-time financial assistance to needy SC-ST students from underprivileged backgrounds pursuing degree courses in any government institution of the state from this year, Chief Minister said while addressing the meeting of the Tribes Advisory Council here on Tuesday.
Chief Minister said, “My Government has been taking sustained interventions to improve the socio-economic conditions and realize the educational needs of our tribal communities. Education, livelihood, and protection of their rights have been our focus area.”
“Special Development Councils have been playing a vital role to focus on the promotion, protection, and preservation of the tribal culture and traditions, heritage, and identity by involving tribal people. This year, the program has been expanded to 172 blocks of 23 districts, covering more than 84 lakh ST people” he said.
Education is the key to socio-economic upliftment. Odisha is one of the leading states in providing residential facilities to tribal students. Hostel facilities are available to more than 6 lakh students from 4.2 lakh households in one thousand seven hundred thirty-five schools functioning under the department. In last 20 years, number of High Schools under ST&SC Development Department has almost doubled, increased from 215 to 422. Similarly, 62 Higher Secondary Schools have been opened for providing Higher Secondary Education, he added.
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Chief Minister said, Odisha is considered as a pioneering State in the implementation of Forest Rights Act.
The State has launched a new scheme “Mo Jungle Jami Yojana” to ensure right to hold and live in forest land to all eligible ST forest dwellers. It would ensure recognition of Community Rights over forest land.
Funded by the State Plan, we have introduced Mukhya Mantri Jivika Mission as one of the largest exclusive tribal livelihood promotion initiatives. With a budget allocation of Rs 500 Crore, the scheme will provide support to 1.5 lakh tribal households in 121 TSP blocks of the State over a three-year period from 2022-23 to 2025-26, the Chief Minister said in his speech.
“Odisha has submitted a proposal to Union Government for expansion of the Odisha PVTG Empowerment & Livelihoods Improvement Programme for implementation in newly notified one thousand one hundred thirty-eight PVTG villages from 2024-25 onwards for a period of 7 years.”
The Chief Minister also said that the valued suggestions in this meeting are highly solicited, which will strengthen the efforts towards development of the Scheduled Tribe communities of our state.
