Naveen demands Tribal University for Kandhamal

The Pioneer, Sept 25, 2009
PNS | Bhubaneswar

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday met Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Kanti Lal Bhuria in New Delhi and urged him to take steps for setting up a Tribal University in Kandhamal.

Patnaik also requested for grant of Rs 5 crore for modernisation of the existing small tribal museum at Bhubaneswar and separate fund for opening of tribal museums in all the 17 micro project areas in the State. He highlighted the need for increase in the amount of post matric scholarship for ST/SC Students and discussed about issues relating to tribal welfare in Orissa.

He asked for an early release of Central assistance for undertaking various tribal welfare activities for which a proposal was submitted by the State Government and the Union Minister acceded to the request of the Chief Minister for grant of Rs 64.26 crore.

Patnaik also highlighted the action being taken by the State Govt. for issue of land rights (pattas) to tribal community in Orissa and informed that it will be concluded in a time bound manner.

Patnaik further emphasized for inclusion of more eligible communities from Orissa in the SC/ST List so that the deserving people could benefit from government programmes. He informed that 167 such proposals have been sent by the State to the Centre for inclusion in the list. “The Centre should release of Rs.140 crores during 2009-2010 for construction of 400 new 100 bedded ST Girls Hostels in the State,” he said.

Recalling his recent letter written to the Union Minister, the Chief Minister asked for sanction of more Ekalabya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) in the 4 uncovered KBK districts i.e., Nuapada, Malkangiri, Sonepur and Bolangir in the current academic session.

Patnaik also informed the minister that the DFID assisted Orissa Tribal Empowerment and Livelihoods Project has been well accepted by the tribal communities in the State and requested the Union Tribal Affairs Minister for augmentation of the DFID assistance to the tune of US $ 40 Million.