BHUBANESWAR: BJD president and leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, Naveen Patnaik on Sunday reiterated the demand for inclusion of 169 tribal communities of Odisha in the Scheduled Tribes list, and said his party will continue the fight till it is fulfilled.
Addressing a function at party headquarters Sankha Bhawan here on the occasion of the World Indigenous People’s Day, Naveen said BJD has always stood firmly with the tribal communities and would continue the fight for their rights and cultural protection. “Our fight to protect the rights, dignity, identity and culture will continue,” he added.
Stating that the BJD’s goal is the empowerment of tribal people, Naveen said the party has always remained committed to the development and welfare of tribal communities. The struggle will continue to promote and protect the culture and traditions of tribal communities and ensure their inclusion in the mainstream of the society, he added.
Naveen said during his time, his government had taken important steps to empower tribal people by promoting development in various fields, ranging from higher education to livelihood and means of income. Highlighting the steps, the former chief minister said panchayats were given rights over the collection of forest produce, thousands of hostels were established and the Anwesha programme was introduced to facilitate higher education.
Tribal development was also promoted through the Special Development Councils (SDCs), which helped strengthen tribal roots and heritage while giving tribal communities opportunities to progress and showcase their talent, he added.
Senior party leaders besides newly-inducted former IAS officer Sujata Karthikeyan addressed the function. Karthikeyan highlighted their traditional knowledge, folk songs, history, bravery and cultural heritage, saying these must be preserved and promoted.
She said during the 24-year tenure of Naveen Patnaik as chief minister, the BJD government had taken up many initiatives which are a model for the entire country and have been followed in many other states too.
She said setting up SDCs in 23 districts for the preservation and promotion of tribal history and culture was a very unique step. The BJD government had strengthened the roots of tribal people and heritage, and gave them opportunities to have a voice in the world, she added.