In an effort to foster connections with tribal communities prior to the elections scheduled for next year, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik of Odisha has created Special Development Councils (SDCs) in 14 additional districts. The SDCs are dedicated to the preservation of tribal cultures and traditions as well as the promotion of indigenous lifestyles.
The Biju Janata Dal (BJD), which is currently in power in the state of Odisha, is attempting to increase its support among the tribal population, which makes up more than 22% of the state’s population, in order to halt the rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party in tribal regions.
In the 2019 elections for the 147 Assembly seats in the state, 33 of them were reserved for the Scheduled Tribes (STs). Out of these, the BJD won 18 seats, the BJP won 11, the Congress won 2, the CPI(M) won 1, and independent candidates won the remaining 1. In addition, five of the 21 Lok Sabha seats were also reserved for the STs. The BJD and BJP both won two of these seats, and the Congress won the remaining one.
The BJD is countering the BJP’s strength in Mayurbhanj and Sundargarh districts by expanding its Scheduled Caste (SDC) wing. In 2019, the BJP won both the Lok Sabha seats and the majority of the Assembly constituencies in the two districts. Furthermore, the BJP’s selection of Droupadi Murmu as India’s first tribal President has added an extra impetus to the BJD’s efforts.
Odisha has established SDCs in 23 of its 30 districts, including nine tribal-dominated districts in September 2017. On Sunday, the state expanded its initiative, adding Angul, Balangir, Balasore, Bargarh, Boudh, Deogarh, Dhenkanal, Ganjam, Jajpur, Jharsuguda, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Nayagargh, and Sambalpur to the list.
The SDCs are aimed at preserving tribal culture, recognizing indigenous knowledge, and providing socio-economic welfare to the tribals.
The CM announced that his government would invest Rs 223 crore in the 2023-’24 financial year to protect the culture and traditions of over 80 lakh tribals.
“Art and culture play a crucial role in the definition of development. The SDCs have been established for the preservation of the art and culture of tribals, who have a great contribution from politics to literature, culture, language and politics. They have glorified Odisha’s culture and I am proud of them,” the CM said while inaugurating the new SDCs on Sunday.
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