09.08.2021:Governor calls for collective efforts to ensure tribal welfare

Governor calls for collective efforts to ensure tribal welfare

Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari today called for collective efforts cutting across political lines to hasten the work of tribal welfare. Stating that both central and state governments are making concerted efforts for tribal welfare, he said that more efforts are needed to ensure that tribals who lag behind in development parameters come up in all spheres of life.

The Governor was speaking at a programme organized on the occasion of World Tribal Day (International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples) at Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai on Monday (9th Aug). The programme was convened at the initiative of deputy speaker of Vidhan Sabha Narhari Zirwal.

Describing tribals as ‘Anaadivasi’, – people who have been residing in the country since time immemorial -, the Governor said tribals have made significant contribution to nation-building effort since independence. He said in recent years the Government has enacted legislations like the Forest Rights Act and PESA to empower tribals. He appealed to tribals to protect their unique language, traditional attire and culture. Mentioning that tribal girls from Maharashtra have conquered Mt Everest in recent years, he assured his help to tribals in realizing their aspirations. Earlier the Governor garlanded the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and extended his greetings to Adivasi brothers and sisters present on the occasion.

Deputy Chairperson of Maharashtra Legislative Council Dr Neelam Gorhe joined the programme online.

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal lamented that a large sum of the budgetary provision for tribal welfare department is spent on meeting establishment expenditure leaving small sum for tribal welfare schemes. He felt that the provision should be enhanced. He further rued that tribal youths are not getting government jobs as many such jobs have been occupied by non tribals using bogus caste certificates.

MLA Dharmaraobaba Atram and Vikram Kale, former MP Husain Dalwai, former MLC Husnabanu Khalife, Secretary of Tribal Welfare Department Dr Anup Kumar Yadav, Principal Secretary of Legislature Rajendra Bhagwat and others were present. The deputy speaker presented a memento of Birsa Munda to the Governor.