BJD lambasts Centre over pending proposals of inclusion of tribals in Odisha ST list, calls BJP “anti-tribal”

The Odisha government had repeatedly written to the Centre and given 169 proposals for the inclusion of as many tribal communities in the State's ST list but despite the constant effort from the BJD, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has been sitting on the issue, party spokesperson Pradeep Majhi said.

Kasturi Swain Published On : Jan 27, 2023 at 2:58 PM Updated On : Jan 27, 2023 at 2:59 PM

Bhubaneswar: Taking up the issue of non-inclusion of tribals in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list of Odisha, the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) today lambasted the BJP and accused the party of being “anti-tribal”. Addressing a press meet during the day, former MP and party spokesperson cum senior general secretary Pradeep Majhi said the BJD government led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has been working for the development and welfare of tribals in Odisha. The BJP-led Centre, on the other hand, has always neglected the tribal communities in the State and its approach has been anti-tribal, anti-poor and anti-Odisha, Majhi said.

The Odisha government had repeatedly written to the Centre and given 169 proposals for the inclusion of as many tribal communities in the State’s ST list but despite the constant effort from the BJD, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has been sitting on the issue, he said. On September 16 last year, CM Naveen Patnaik had written to the Union Minister of Tribal Affairs to consider inclusion of communities like Pauri Bhuyan, Chuktia Bhunjia, Durua, Dhurua, Dhurava, Uram, Dhangara, Oram/Uraon, Oraon Mudi and many others but they are still pending approval.

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Further on October 10, 2022, 20 communities namely Tomodia Bhumij, Tamadia Bhumij, Tamundia Bhumij, Tamulia Bhumij, TamudiaBhumij, Tanla Gauda, Dora, Anati Dora/ Enati Dora, Saara, Kui (Kandha), Kaur, Rajual/Rajuad, Konda Reddy/ Konda Reddi, Putiya/Putia/Dulia/Dhulia/Putiya Paik/Dhulia Paik/ Dulia Paik,
Kalanga, Tamadia, Tamudia, Bhagata, Bhukta, Bhogota Nakasia, Bhanja Puran were proposed for inclusion in the ST list of Odisha but the Centre continued to remain silent, Majhi stated.

The pending status of the proposals had been communicated to the Director of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in Odisha at a meeting in April as well.

“Despite the Odisha Government fighting for the issue, the BJP led Centre with its anti-tribal approach has been thwarting all efforts. On behalf of Biju Janata Dal, we demand these 169 proposals for inclusion in ST list be immediately approved and included in the ST list of Odisha. These communities are watching the anti-tribal
approach of the BJP and its Central Government and have seen their double standards,” he said.

“Naveen Patnaik Government 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. Its only the BJD government which fights for the rights of the tribals while the BJP only sheds crocodile tears and has no heart for the tribals who are awaiting to be included in the ST list. We demand that immediate steps be taken by the BJP-led Centre to include these 169 communities into the ST list failing which the BJD and the tribal communities of Odisha will be forced to come to the streets and raise our voice against the ill-treatment, neglect and constant disregard for the tribals of the State,” Majhi said.