Bhubaneswar: Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, Saturday, during an interaction with government field-level officials from various departments, urged them to adopt a humanitarian and empathetic approach while implementing welfare schemes for tribal communities.
Speaking at a day-long interaction with officials of ST and SC Development, Minorities and Backward Classes Welfare department, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water department, and Forest, Environment and Climate Change department at Raj Bhavan, the Governor said, “The objective of this meeting is to understand how schemes are being implemented at the grassroots level and to identify existing challenges.”
Key issues discussed included Ekalavya Model Residential Schools, scholarships, Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006, Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Minor Forest Produce (MFP), PM-JANMAN, and fake caste certificate verification.
Kambhampati directed officials to clear all pending FRA ‘patta’ applications within 90 days and explore alternatives before any eviction.
He stressed that no eligible student should be deprived of scholarships and asked departments to improve the performance of ST and SC Development-run schools. On MFP procurement, he urged eliminating middlemen and exploring wider markets.
“Tribal communities must get fair prices. MSMEs should be encouraged to process forest produce,” he said.
Highlighting connectivity gaps, he called for 100 per cent mobile network coverage in tribal villages and greater awareness of social security schemes like PMJJBY, PMSBY, and Atal Pension Yojana.
“We cannot compel people to enrol, but they must understand the benefits. Current efforts are inadequate,” he remarked.
The Governor also suggested promoting rooftop solar systems for tribal households and stressed the timely preparation of annual reports.
PNN
