Odisha launches ‘Special Development Councils’ for 9 districts to preserve and promote tribal culture and heritage

NewsBharati    11-Mar-2018
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Bhubaneswar, March 11: Odisha welcomes ‘Special Development Councils’ SDCs for 9 tribal dominated districts. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched SDCs for 9 districts: Nabarangpur, Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Kandhamal, Gajapati, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, and Sundargarh. 

Launching the councils at a special function, Chief Minister said the SDCs will focus on preservation and promotion of tribal culture and traditions, heritage and unique identity of tribal communities in tandem with their socio-economic development.

“The State Government would provide Rs 1.5 Crores as grant-in-aid to each block of the nine districts which is over and above the funds allotted under different schemes. A total of Rs 175 Crores will be spent per annum through these councils,” said Patnaik.

The move will benefit around 14 lakh tribal families on their cultural, educational, sports and economic development activities, he claimed.

SC/ST Minister Ramesh Chandra Majhi, Skill Development Minister Usha Devi Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhy, Chairpersons of SDCs and tribal people from various parts of the state were present on the occasion. Odisha has 62 types of tribes, out of which, 13 tribes are known as “Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups” (PTGs).