Bhubaneswar: Opposition Congress and BJP Thursday launched a scathing attack on the state government during a debate in the assembly when the government was accused of remaining a mute spectator to exploitation of tribals and dalits in the state.
Soon after the house resumed at 12.40 pm after Polavaram din, the adjournment motion on ‘exploitation of tribals and dailts in Orissa’ moved by opposition parties was taken up for debate and discussion.
Participating in the debate, Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra lambasted the state government for its ‘failure’ to take required steps to ensure development of tribal and dalits in the state.
Mishra, in his address, said though the state government has managed to provide Re 1 per kg rice to people in tribal areas, it has failed to take steps for their economic growth.
“I am not against Re 1 rupee rice scheme as it’s a question of their survival. However, the scheme is not new as the Congress government during JB Patnaik’s tenure also provided rice at `2 per kg to people in rural and tribal areas,” MIshra said, adding, “Apart from providing rice, what needs to be done is launch programmes for their economic development.”
Mishra said that in order to ensure economic development of the state, quality education is a must. “More importantly, technical education,”
he said.
“Quality education should be the first thrust, but unfortunately this government has made it its last thrust for its development agenda as it wants people of the state to remain satisfied with schemes such as Re 1 rice, Aahar and Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana,” he rued.
BJP member Rabi Narayan Nanda also criticised the government for its failure in providing basic facilities like road, drinking water and electricity facilities in tribal villages as well as education facilities to tribals in the state.
Both Congress and BJP came down heavily on the government for deaths of tribals due to consumption of mango kernel at Kashipur in Rayagada, killing of tribals in Kandhamal Mao-encounter, malnutrition deaths in Nagada village and the recent Dana Majhi episode that hugged international headlines.
Under attack from opposition, tribal welfare minister Sudam Marndi said the state government has taken all possible measures for the development of tribals and Dalits in the state. To ensure quality education, the minister said the state government has set up
5000 hostels and have set up 1637 residential schools across the state.
He said the state government has launched schemes such as Anwesha
and Akankhya to promote tribal
education.
Meanwhile, the minister also informed the house that several schemes including Biju Pucca Ghar Scheme, Madhu Babu Pension Scheme, Biju Gram Jyoti Yojana as well as Biju Krushak Bikash Yojana have been implemented in the state for development of tribals.
Unsatisfied with the minister’s answer, both Congress and BJP staged a walkout from the house at 3.40 pm.
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