IFAD to support new programme for livelihood improvement of PTGs

Sambad English Bureau Published On : Nov 7, 2013 at 11:06 PM Updated On : Nov 7, 2013 at 11:15 PM

OST Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Nov 7 :

NROs celebrate Raja festival in Netherlands

The Odisha government is working on a focused programme for empowerment and livelihood improvement of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PTGs) in the state under the banner of Odisha Primitive Tribal Group Empowerment and Livelihood Improvement Programme (OPELIP) to be monitored by ST and SC Development department.

The proposed programme aims to provide complementary support to the PTGs to ensure sustained benefits to them.

Taking into account the successful performance of OTELP in bringing about significant changes in the livelihoods of the tribals, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has come forward to support this programme, official sources said.

The IFAD team, led by AM Alam on its Inception Mission, visited different micro projects like Juanga Development Agency, Hill Khadia and Mankidia Development Agency, Paudi Bhuyan Development Agency, Kutia Kandh Development Agency, Saura Development Agency, Lanjia Saura Development Agency along with other micro projects meant for the PTGs.

The team discussed with these agencies as well as the local NGOs and had several rounds of interactive sessions with OTELP officials, SC & ST Research Institute staff, NRLM project director and civil society organizations. The team spent 16 days in the state and made a detailed assessment of the whole situation.

After completing its Mission tour, the team in its report has stated that there have been visible changes in the livelihood of the tribals in OTELP and micro project areas.

It was decided that the programme would be launched in 17 micro project areas across 12 districts covering 13 PVTGs spread over 542 villages in 84 gram panchayats.

As per the preliminary estimate, about Rs 610 crore will be invested in the programme of which IFAD would provide 50 percent of the amount.
The chief secretary assured the IFAD team that the state government would underwrite 50 per cent of the investment and provide all necessary assistance for implementation of the programme.