In a bid to woo the tribal voters of Mayurbhanj district, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday announced opening of a BEd training college for tribal students at Baripada which would impart education in Ol-Chiki Santhali language.
Addressing a gathering at Baripada Chhau field, Naveen said education was of primary importance for socio-economic development of weaker sections of society. “Policy to promote educational interest of tribal students has been the focus of the State Government,” he said.
Naveen said tribal youths would be trained free of cost under self-employment schemes to make them self-reliant and they would be allowed to appear in entrance tests free of cost. “We also have decided to provide
Rs 2-a-kg rice for the noon meal scheme and cycles to all BPL category boys studying in Class X,” he said.
He highlighted the various schemes started by the BJD government for strengthening economic conditions of tribals. Naveen said all the villages would be connected with concrete roads in the next couple of years. “This apart, 2,000 hostels for tribal students have been completed and the work on 600 more will begin soon,” he said.
BJD Deputy Chief whip Sanjay Dasburma said the government was preparing a plan for a drinking water project in Baripada and to provide additional funds for the completion of Subarnarekha Irrigation Project (SIP).
Minister for Textiles, Handlooms and Handicrafts Sarojini Hembram said plans are afoot to open a spinning centre in the district and increase the production at Tassar craft centre at Bangriposhi.