BHUBANESWAR: The State Government has launched a special programme, Odisha Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) Empowerment and Livelihood Improvement Programme (OPELIP), with the objective of focused livelihood empowerment of PVTGs.
The programme launched in 2016-17 with an outlay of Rs 795 crore is targeted to benefit around 62,000 households, said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik while addressing the Tribes Advisory Council (TAC) meeting on Thursday.
Stating that Odisha has 62 Scheduled Tribes, including 13 PVTGs, which constitutes 22.85 per cent of the State’s total population, Naveen reiterated the commitment of the State Government towards providing economic empowerment, enhanced livelihood opportunities, education and skill development of tribal population.
State Government will continue to ensure that every tribal child gets the best possible education to prepare them to face the challenges of life, the Chief Minister said. All ST students from Odisha, studying in national level institutions are provided 100 per cent assistance to take care of their entire education cost apart from scholarships from 2014-15, he said.
“Development of tribal areas and welfare of tribal people, preservation and promotion of their cultural heritage has always been a goal very close to my heart,” he said and added, “Now my government seeks to fulfil this through special development councils in nine tribal-dominated districts.” The councils are empowered to take decisions to preserve and promote their culture, sports and other development needs, he said.
The Chief Minister said, with the distribution of 4.15 lakh individual rights covering an area of 6.14 lakh acres and 6336 community rights over an area of 3.28 lakh acres under Forest Rights Act, Odisha continues to be the best performer in the country.