ROURKELA: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi unveiled development projects worth Rs 1,955 crore in Sundargarh district on the occasion of Janjatiya Gaurav Divas celebration, marking the 150th birth anniversary of legendary tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda, at Rourkela on Saturday.
Paying rich tributes to Birsa Munda, he recalled his invaluable contribution to India’s freedom struggle, fight against colonialism, exploitation, torture and religious conversion of the tribal people as well as land grabbing by the zamindars of British government.
Majhi said the BJP governments in Odisha and at the Centre have been relentlessly working for socio-economic development of tribal people along with preservation of tribal culture, tradition and languages. By granting around 4.6 lakh individual forest rights titles, his government has emerged as one of the country’s leading states to implement the Forest Rights Act, he said.
Lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi for working towards all-round development of the tribal people, the CM also exhorted the tribal people to educate themselves and fight for their rights. He spoke about PM-JANMAN Yojana, Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, Janjatiya Jeevika Parishad initiative, Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan and Dharti Abba Jan Bhagidari Yojana, all aimed at all-round development of tribal masses along with their socio-economic empowerment.
“Till today, tribal literacy is low and tribal communities are struggling with issues of livelihood and backwardness. Under the Mukhya Mantri Janjatiya Jeevika Mission (MMJJM), my government has been sincerely working to ensure sustainable livelihood for tribal families and providing them with economic assistance for rehabilitation,” he said.
Under the MMJJM, so far, around 1.5 lakh tribal families have been covered, the CM said, adding it is getting implemented across 119 tribal-dominated blocks and an allocation of Rs 500 crore has made from 2023-24 to 2025-26.
Odisha and Mayurbhanj district were adjudged best performing state and district respectively under Adivasi Karmayogi Abhiyan, while Keonjhar was the best in implementation of Dharti Aaba Jan Bhagidari Yojana, he added.
He said his government is working towards complete eradication of untouchability and promoting equality at public places. Tribal people are partners in progress and without their development, the goal of Viksit Bharat 20247 and Viksit Odisha 2036 cannot be achieved, Majhi said.
The CM inaugurated 565 projects worth about Rs 1,345 crore and laid foundation for 195 projects valued at Rs 610 crore on the occasion. Deputy Speaker of the Assembly BS Bhoi, Rourkela MLA SP Nayak, RN Pali MLA DC Tanti and Sundargarh collector Subhankar Mohapatra were present.
The CM later attended the 4th national sports meet of Eklavya Model Residential Schools at Birsa Munda Athletic stadium.