Naveen chairs tribal devpt meet amid KCR’s look-Odisha policy

BHUBANESWAR: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday chaired a meeting of special development councils (SDCs) meant for focussed development of tribals in nine tribal-dominated districts amid his Telangana counterpart K Chandrasekhar Rao’s ongoing discussions with prominent tribal leaders of the state in past few days for his party Bharat Rashtra Samithi’s (BRS) debut here.
Tribal leader and SDC adviser Pradeep Majhi, who attended the meeting, said it is hugely significant for tribal development as the CM chaired the SDC meeting for the first time after these were formed around two months ago. “We will roll out detailed plans for better upkeep of tribals art, culture and literature. Clubs will be formed to promote tribal costumes and dance,” he said.
Sources said the CM told the chairpersons and their deputies of the SDCs that there would be no fund crunch for the council activities. The SDCs were asked to make their work visible.
Naveen held the meeting with the tribal leaders even as KCR has continued discussions with tribal leaders, former chief minister Giridhar Gamang and former Koraput MP Jayram Pangi, to enter Odisha. The tribal-dominated districts in southern and western Odisha have a sizeable Telugu population, who may find KCR appealing.
Gamang’s son Shishir, who is with the BJP now, on Wednesday said they would take a decision on joining BRS soon. “We are positive about the way the discussion has gone forward. We are discussing the matter with our supporters,” he said.
Farmer leader Akshay Kumar, who heads farmers’ outfit Navnirman Krushak Sangathan, has confirmed that he has joined the KCR-led party.
“I am with KCR ever since his party name was changed from Telangana Rashtra Samithi to BRS to bring pro-farmer governments together across the country. BRS will work for farmers’ development in Odisha too,” he said. RTI activist Pradip Pradhan said he had also been contacted by KCR’s team to join his party. “I will take a decision soon,” he said.