Naveen woos tribals

At a time when many industrial projects in the state are facing protests from the tribals, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday sought to woo the tribal people saying his government is taking all measures to protect their rights.

“We have undertaken several schemes for the development and protection of the rights of the tribal people”, chief minister Naveen Patnaik said here. He appealed the people to cooperate with the government to implement these programmes.

Chief minister was addressing the Sahid Laxman Nayak Memorial Samaroha 2010 organised by the People’s Trust, here. Patnaik’s appeal assumes significance as several CPM and CPI leaders, who are also at the forefront in opposing big ticket projects like Posco and Vedanta, were sharing the dais with him. They included the state secretary of CPM, Janardan Pati, Ali Kishore Patnaik, and CPI MLA, Adikanda

“We have to work together to develop the tribal people and fulfill the dreams of Laxman Nayak”, he said.  Laxman Nayak had led tribal movement in Koraput district in 1943 against the British regime. He was kept in the Berhampur circle jail by the British police till his martyrdom on November 22, 1943. Chief minister donated Rs 5 lakh to the People’s Trust for setting up of a statute of Laxman Nayak here.

Besides chief minister, Pati and Ali Patnaik, educationist and director of National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) Sangram Muduli and MP (Berhampur), Sidhant Mohaptra addressed the meeting.

Referring to the recent issues involving Commonwealth Games, 2G spectrum, Adarsh Housing, the CPM leader expressed concern over the spread of corruption at high places.

Director NIST stressed on proper implementation of the right to education (RTE) Act to ensure enrollment of the tribal and downtrodden children. “The education is the only way to develop a society”, he said.

During his visit to the district, chief minister inaugurated the building for the Special Neonatal Care Unit (SNCU) for the infants, a new building for the forensic research department and a 216 capacity hostel building for the boys in the MKCG Medical College and Hostel here.