• Source:JND

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched an attack on the previous Congress and opposition government, saying that they did not care about the 'extremely backward' tribal communities. His remarks came as PM Modi addressed a large gathering in Bihar's Jamui as the 150th birth anniversary celebration of Bhagwan Birsa Munda commenced today.

PM Modi also inaugurated development projects worth over Rs 6,640 crore for the region and also released a commemorative coin and postage stamp at the event, news agency ANI reported.

'Increased Tribal Development Budget To Rs 1.25 Lakh Cr'

PM Modi highlighted the current government's commitment to tribal upliftment and pointed to the launch of the Dharti Aaba, Janjatiya Gram, and Utkarsh Abhiyan schemes, which aim to transform over 60,000 tribal villages.

"It was the NDA government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee that created a separate ministry for tribal welfare. 10 years ago, the budget for the development of tribal areas and tribal families was less than Rs 25,000 crores. Our government has increased it 5 times to Rs 1.25 lakh crores. Just a few days ago, we started a special scheme for the development of more than 60,000 tribal villages in the country- Dharti Aaba, Janjatiya Gram, Utkarsh Abhiyan," said PM Modi.

Under this, about Rs 80,000 crore will be invested in tribal villages. Its purpose is to provide necessary facilities to the tribal society as well as to create training and employment opportunities for the youth, PM Modi added.

'Pucca Houses, Schools For My Tribal Brothers, Sisters'

PM Modi emphasised the nature of the development projects that he unveiled today.

"Today the foundation stone and inauguration of projects worth more than Rs 6 thousand crores have been done. These include approval letters for about 1.5 lakh pucca houses for my tribal brothers and sisters. There are schools and hostels to shape the future of tribal children. There are health facilities for tribal women and hundreds of kilometres of roads connecting tribal areas.

'Earlier Govts Did Not Care'

While highlighting the works done for tribal welfare by his government in the last 10 years, PM Modi cornered the Congress party, alleging that it sidelined the backward tribal communities.

"Earlier governments did not care at all about the extremely backward tribal communities. In order to reduce difficulties in their lives, PM Janman Yojana worth Rs 24 thousand crores was started. This scheme ensures the development of settlements of the most backward tribes of the country. Today this scheme completes one year," said the PM.

PM Modi stated that in the decades following independence, efforts were made to erase the invaluable contributions of tribal history, driven by self-serving politics. He added that the intent was to credit only one party for India’s freedom.

"But if just one party or family secured independence, then why did Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s Ulgulan movement happen? What were the Santhal and Kol revolutions about?" he questioned.


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