Berhampur: The Kandhamal district administration has identified 381 tribal-dominated villages for implementation of the Centre’s new welfare initiative, Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the scheme on October 2, aiming for socio-economic development of tribal villages over the next five years. The programme aims to address critical infrastructure gaps through 25 intervention schemes implemented by 17 central govt ministries and departments.
“Officials have been directed to prepare detailed project reports after mapping infrastructure gaps in tribal-majority villages,” said Kandhamal collector Amrit Ruturaj during a recent orientation programme in Phulbani. The focus will be on infrastructure, healthcare development and livelihood improvement.
The scheme is expected to benefit approximately 2.20 lakh people in Kandhamal district, including 42,000 tribal residents. Statewide, over 48.15 lakh tribal people across 7,667 villages will be covered under the initiative.
Plans include establishing a tribal multipurpose marketing centre and a centre of competence for sickle-cell patients in the state.
P Murali Mohan, project manager of ITDA Phulbani, said that further details will be discussed on November 15, celebrated as Janjatiya Gourav Divas. “We are preparing to gather around 30,000 tribal people to commemorate Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary,” he added.
The scheme encompasses improvements in road connectivity, water supply, electrification, social infrastructure, health, education and livelihood opportunities in tribal areas.