Odisha Reviews Tribal Welfare Schemes with NCST, Focus on Education and Livelihoods

Bhubaneswar: A high-level review meeting on the implementation of welfare schemes for Scheduled Tribes (STs) was held at the Lok Seva Bhawan conference hall on Monday in the presence of Chief Secretary Anu Garg and Member of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) Asha Lakra.

The meeting focused on assessing the progress, challenges and outcomes of various central and state-sponsored schemes aimed at the socio-economic development of tribal communities in Odisha. The NCST member reviewed key initiatives being implemented by the State Government and held detailed discussions with senior officials on improving delivery and impact at the grassroots level.

The review was attended by Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Department of Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe Development, Minority and Backward Classes Welfare B. Parameswar Rameshwaran, along with senior officials from the Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department, Revenue and Disaster Management Department and other concerned departments.

A major emphasis of the meeting was on central schemes related to tribal education, particularly the provision of quality residential education. The Commission stressed the need to strengthen infrastructure and safety in residential institutions, including the appointment of female matrons in girls’ hostels, construction of boundary walls and ensuring adequate toilet facilities. The functioning of Ashram Schools, Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) and Sevashrams across the state also came under review, with officials informing that a total of 1,765 such institutions are currently operational.

The Departmental Secretary apprised the Commission of the State Government’s progress in implementing individual and community forest rights. It was informed that by October 2025, applications for 7.32 lakh individual forest land rights had been received, of which 4.64 lakh rights have already been granted.

Issues related to the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 were discussed at length. The implementation of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) also featured prominently, with the Commission emphasising greater involvement of tribal communities for its effective execution.

The meeting also reviewed key livelihood and development initiatives, including PM-JANMAN, the Chief Minister’s Tribal Livelihood Mission, the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) Livelihood Mission and the Dharati Aba Scheduled Tribe Village Upliftment Campaign. The deliberations underscored the importance of coordinated inter-departmental efforts to ensure inclusive, sustainable and rights-based development of tribal populations across Odisha.