BJP, BJD eye Odisha's tribal votes with new project plans

ROURKELA: In what may appear as attempts to expand outreach to the tribal population in Sundargarh Lok Sabha constituency, both BJP and BJD have intensified their efforts to woo voters through institutional mechanism.

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs headed by Jual Oram sanctioned Rs 4 crore on May 22 for development of Amco-Simco martyrs’ memorial site in Birmitrapur Assembly segment into a tourism spot on the lines of Jallianwala Bagh monument. The Ministry’s apex committee meeting led by Tribal Affairs Secretary recently approved the project expenditure, copies of which were released on Saturday. Welcoming the move, Amco-Simco Sahid Smariki Committee vice-president Bijay Toppo said Rs 2 crore will be released for the project in 2018-19 while the remaining amount would be provided subsequently.

“Around Rs 1.5 crore has been earmarked for construction of a museum-cum-library hall and `1 crore for beautification of the memorial site. The rest amount has been kept for associated activities. Works to the tune of about Rs 90 lakh have been additionally taken up by Odisha Tourism Department. We would approach both the State and Central governments for more funds,” Toppo said.

The site has an emotional connect for the district. In 1939, about 49 tribal villagers were shot dead by the Britishers over the issue of land rights.On the other hand, the BJD is also trying to woo the tribal voters. BJD president of Sundargarh Special Development Council (SDC) for tribals Santosh Amat had asked the body’s vice-president and 14 other members, who are leaders of various tribes, to submit proposals for preserving various heritage sites three days back.

Amat said proposals are invited for protection of sacred shrines/groves, promotion and protection of tribal culture and heritage, exposure visit for capacity building of tribal groups, development of sports, promotion of traditional heritage agricultural system and other issues.

A meeting will be held in this regard soon and the members are requested to place suggestions on issues impacting tribal life including human trafficking, status of implementation of schemes on land and forest rights, meaningful engagement of youths and SHG members, skill development, career counselling and all-round development of villages, he said.

The meeting will also focus on PESA Act. The aim is to educate tribals as people with vested interests are trying create social disharmony by misleading them on PESA rights, he added.