Raipur, 14 September 2021. Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel said that Chhattisgarh Government is committed to protect the rights and interest of tribal communities of the state. Consistent efforts of the government in last two and a half years have brought significant positive change in the living standard of tribal people. Employment opportunities have been created at a local-level. Financial condition and spending power of the tribal community has improved. Giving the example of Dantewada district, Chief Minister said that in year 2018, there was hardly any sale of tractor in Dantewada district. In last two and a half year, more than 400 tractors have been purchased by tribal farmers for agricultural activities. The number of motorcycle sales has crossed the double figure to 5 thousand in two and a half years.
Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel was addressing the delegation of Sarv Adivasi Samaj at his residence office yesterday evening. Delegation of Sarv Adivasi Samaj under the leadership of Chairman Mr. Bharat Singh paid courtesy call of Chief Minister today at his residence to discuss the grievances of tribal people in various parts of the state.
Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel was addressing the delegation of Sarva Adivasi Samaj at his residence office last evening. Under the leadership of Sarva Adivasi Samaj President Mr. Bharat Singh, representatives of all the regions of the state visited Chief Minister’s residence to discuss the social problems. The delegation also included retired senior officers of the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Police Service and State Administrative Services. On the occasion, Industries Minister Mr. Kawasi Lakhma, Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Shishu Pal Sori, Mr. Indrashah Mandavi, Mr. U.D. Minj, Mr. Chandradev Rai, Mr. Vikas Upadhyay, MLA Mr. Sant Kumar Netam, Mr. Brihaspat Singh, Mrs. Laxmi Dhruva and prominent office bearers of tribal society were present.
On this occasion, Chief Minister announced the formation of a cabinet sub-committee and a committee of secretaries of all departments, under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary, for protection of tribal interests and for resolving the problems of tribal communities. He asked the office-bearers of Sarva Adivasi Samaj, especially the retired senior administrative officers, to inform and discuss the issues concerning tribal welfare and rights with the secretary-level committee. Welcoming all the office bearers of Sarva Adivasi Samaj, Chief Minister said that a fruitful discussion was held today with the delegration. COVID crisis had impacted the pace of development and welfare works. During the lockdown, there was concern about keeping people safe and providing them facilities. Procurement of minor forest produce was also a challenge. But Chhattisgarh government has overcome each of these challenges through better management and perseverance.
Chief Minister said that as per the recommendation of Patnaik Committee constituted for redressal of cases against tribal people, maximum of the cases have been disposed off. Remaining court cases are also being disposed off expeditiously. Chief Minister called for active cooperation from the officials of Sarva Adivasi Samaj in helping the families who have moved from South Bastar to other states for employment, to get land lease in their villages. Chief Minister said that after examining the canceled claims of forest land lease, State Government has so far given lease to more than 50 thousand forest dwellers. Schools which were closed for years in Sukma district have now been reopened. The government has given lease of revenue land to more than one thousand people in 14 villages of Abujhmad area and has also procured paddy from them at support price.
Chief Minister said that education and health has been a big challenge in the tribal areas of the state. In two and a half years, state government has made efforts to improve healthcare and education facilities in forest ares. The problem concerning shortage of doctors and teachers has been resolved. Chief Minister said that our government has clearly decided that the tribal land will not be acquired for industries. In forest areas, 50 to 100 acres of government land required for small scale industries based on forest produce will be allotted by state government. He said that procurement of forest produce and minor cereal crops, along with the work of value addition, has been started to provide better employment opportunities in forest areas, which has improved the income of tribal farmers and minor forest produce collectors. Government is also organizing camps to provide basic facilities to the people of remote forest and to solve their problems.
At the onset of the program, Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Shishupal Sori, President of Sarva Adivasi Samaj Mr. Bharat Singh and Senior Officer Mr. B.L. Thakur, Mr. B.P.S. Netam, Mr. Dhananjay and other officials spoke in detail about the problems of Sarva Adivasi Samaj.
