Jamui: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday made a veiled attack on successive regimes of Congress at the Centre, saying the interests of tribal community in the country have been ignored since Independence but his government had taken several steps to ameliorate their conditions since voted to power in 2014.
Modi while addressing a function named, "Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas" organised to mark 150th birth anniversary of veteran tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda ' worshipped as God among the tribal community, said that the interests of this section of the society were ignored for a long period by those who were in power since Independence, a reference to Congress. Since his government was voted to power in 2014, several steps were taken for the welfare and development of the tribal community, he added.
" PM Jan Man Yojna has been launched with an investment of Rs 24,000 Crores for welfare and development of the tribal community", the Prime Minister said adding that 11,000 houses were being handed over to tribals on the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Birsa Munda.
Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had created a separate Tribal Welfare Ministry during his regime but earlier tribals were ignored and exploited, he pointed out. During the Congress-led UPA regime, budgetary allocation for the tribal community was only Rs 25,000 Crores, which was increased to Rs 1,25,000 Crores by his government, he pointed out.
Modi said that a lot of development works were initiated in tribal areas without damaging the heritage of tribals and protecting the natural beauty of the region. Such initiative had opened floodgates of vast eco-tourism opportunities in the area, which also created jobs for tribal youths, he added.
PM said districts dominated by tribals were so much ignored that officials were sent there as a punishment posting during earlier regimes. After his government was voted to power ten years back, such districts were declared 'aspirant districts' with more focus on development and welfare works under the guidance of young, energetic, and efficient officials, he further said adding that such steps taken by his government
changed the scenario of tribal regions.
Modi said that the art and culture of tribal communities were also being protected by his government. Traditional treatment therapy used by tribals for long was also being protected, he said adding that the contribution of tribals in sports could also not be ignored. First National Sports University was opened in Manipur, he added.
Prime Minister said that under the " Lakhpati Didi " scheme, tribal Didis were also becoming lakhpatis. He clarified that those Didis earning Rs one lakh every year were declared lakhpati Didis and not based on their income of a particular year.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar while speaking on the occasion said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had done a lot of work for the tribal community. He appreciated Modi for his initiative for the development of tribal communities in the state.
Bihar Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Union Ministers Giriraj Singh, Chirag Paswan, Bihar Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Chaudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, and several important dignitaries and descendants of Birsa Munda were also present on the occasion.