Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday laid foundation stone for development projects worth Rs 1,535 crore for the tribals on the occasion of Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas (Tribal Pride Day).
The chief minister laid the foundation stone at a function to mark the Janjatiya Diwas at Janata Maidan in Bhubaneswar. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the national function at Jamui in Bihar, Majhi attended it through video-c0pnference from Bhubaneswar.
Offering tributes to Odisha’s tribal leader Birsa Munda, Majhi said he was a great fighter for the country’s freedom struggle and his sacrifice would always be remembered by the people always.
Stating that the Janajatiya Diwas was celebrated to strengthen the traditions and culture of the tribal communities, he recalled the contributions of great tribal freedom fighters including Sahid Laxman Nayak, Ratna Nayak, Chakara Bisoi, Dora Bisoi, Rando Majhi.
Stating that the Prime Minister launched several development projects under Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Yojana (DAJGUY) at Jamui, the chief minister said it aimed at improving the infrastructure of health, education and livelihood in the tribal region. As many as 7,667 villages in 27 districts of Odisha have been included under the Yojana, he added.
The projects, whose foundation stones were laid by Majhi on the occasion, included upgradation of 16 Ashram Schools to high schools. With Rs 15 crore for each school, total Rs 240 crore would be spent for the project.
Similarly, 13 primary schools would be upgraded to high schools at a cost of Rs 286 crore and hostels of 426 primary schools would be constructed with a budget of Rs 852 crore.
The government will also construct Janajati Sanskruti O Aitihya Bhavan at Gothapatna in Bhubaneswar at a cost of Rs 100 crore. The chief minister handed over habitat rights to 8 PVTGs on the basis of Forest Rights at the function.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi also spoke on the occasion. Deputy chief minister KV Singhdeo, minister Nityanand Gond and Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi spoke on the contributions of different tribal leaders on the occasion.