Jhargram (WB), Nov 15 Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday pledged to address the aspirations of tribal communities in West Bengal concerning their language, culture and land rights as he paid tributes to freedom fighter Birsa Munda on his birth anniversary, observed nationwide as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas.
Addressing an event here to mark the 151st birth anniversary of tribal icon Birsa Munda, he said forest land titles have been handed over to 770 tribal people.
Accusing his predecessor Mamata Banerjee of meeting tribal women just for photo opportunities, the chief minister alleged the previous TMC government handed over scheduled tribe certificates to people not belonging to the community.
“We will ensure that such do not recur,” Adhikari said and informed the gathering that 73 have been apprehended for securing caste certificates by posing as tribals.
He promised the gathering in the Jangalmahal region that “we will fulfil your aspirations concerning language, culture and land rights”.
Adhikari said that 1,237 forest villages have been enlisted, and requisite data have been collected for giving land titles to the tribals. Members of the ‘Sabar’ community will get benefits of state government schemes devised for the particularly vulnerable tribal group, even though they are not enlisted in the national programme.
“All those eligible for Lokprasar Shilpi allowance will be enlisted by December 31,” he said, promising to increase the monetary benefit in the next state budget.
The chief minister said a tribal university will be set up in Jhargram and government hospital infrastructure there would be upgraded. “It is my duty to ensure that educated youths get jobs as per their eligibility,” he told the gathering.
Pointing out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi began marking the day as ‘Janajatiya Gaurav Diwas’ in 2021 to honour tribal people, Adhikari said Droupadi Murmu became the country’s first tribal woman to become President during this government.
Maintaining that the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC voted against Murmu in the presidential election, he said, “You (the tribals) know who your friends are and who your foes are.”
Adhikari said his ministry has the highest number of tribal ministers since Independence, and thanked the tribal people for sending BJP candidates to the assembly from 16 constituencies reserved for ST.
On the occasion, he laid the foundation for Rs 274.43 crore-worth 137 projects, including 73 roads, nine school development projects and eight hostels in Jhargram district. He also inaugurated Rs 47.59 crore-worth 51 projects in the district, including 13 roads, 10 anganwadi centres and six school development works.
(PTI News)
