BJD Seeks ST Status for 169 Tribal Communities in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s ruling Biju Janata Dal on Friday demanded the Centre to accord ST status to 169 tribal communities of the State.

At a press meet, BJD senior general secretary and spokesperson Pradeep Majhi has come down heavily on the BJP-led Central government for neglecting the tribal communities of Odisha.

He said that the Odisha Government led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has always been working for the development and welfare of Tribals in Odisha. However, the BJP-led Centre has always neglected the tribal communities of Odisha. Their approach has been anti-tribal, anti-poor and anti-Odisha, Majhi said.

The Chief Minister has provided 5 lakh tribal girl children with hostels, Special Development Councils (SDCs) in nine tribal-dominated districts of Odisha covering 117 Blocks, 2022 GPs, 18687 villages and 14.05 lakh ST households, the BJD spokesperson stated.

But the BJP-led Centre has always neglected the tribals. Around 169 proposals have been recommended by the Odisha Government for inclusion of 169 communities in the ST list of Odisha. Despite repeated letters by the CM and the Odisha Government the Ministry of Tribal Affairs is not including them in the ST list and it is yet to be approved, he added.

Many communities such as Pauri Bhuyan, Chuktia Bhunjia, Durua, Dhurua, Dhurava, Uram, Dhangara, Oram/Uraon, Oraon Mudi and many others are awaiting approval for inclusion in ST list of Odisha, he further said.

BJD MP Dr. Sasmit Patra. was also present at the press meet.