IFAD to support Odisha's PVTG welfare programme

For improving the life of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) of Odisha, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), a specialized agency of the United Nations, has come forward to support OPELIP (Odisha PTG Empowerment and Livelihood Improvement Programme), official sources said.
As per the preliminary estimate, about Rs 6,100 million will be invested in the programme of which 50 per cent will be supported by IFAD, the sources said.
Chief Secretary J K Mohapatra has assured the IFAD that the state government would make arrangements for the balance 50 per cent and provide the necessary assistance for implementation of the programme.

A high level meeting presided over by the chief secretary reviewed the draft programme.
The IFAD Team spent 16 days in Odisha and made assessment of the whole situation.
After completing their Tour, the team told the state government that there has been visible changes in the life and occupation of Tribal in OTEPL areas and other Micro Project areas, an official release said.
"They offered to assist the proposed programme of OPELIP to strengthen these positive changes," it said.
Meanwhile, the state government set a target to start the programme in 17 micro project areas located in 12 districts covering 13 PVTGs spread over 542 villages in 84 GPs.