Governor Kambhampati Advocates for Empathy in Tribal Welfare Initiatives

In a recent meeting, Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati urged government officials to adopt a compassionate approach in implementing welfare schemes for tribal communities. He discussed key issues such as the Forest Rights Act, scholarship opportunities, and the need for better connectivity in tribal areas. Kambhampati emphasized the importance of fair compensation for tribal communities and the elimination of middlemen in the procurement of minor forest produce. His call for increased awareness of social security schemes and the promotion of solar energy solutions for tribal households highlights a comprehensive strategy for improving the lives of these communities. Read on to discover more about his vision and directives.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 24, 2025, 09:09 IST

Governor's Call for Compassionate Implementation of Welfare Schemes

Bhubaneswar: On Saturday, Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati engaged with government officials from various sectors, emphasizing the need for a compassionate and understanding approach in executing welfare programs aimed at tribal populations.

During a comprehensive meeting with representatives from the ST and SC Development, Minorities and Backward Classes Welfare, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water, and Forest, Environment and Climate Change departments at Raj Bhavan, the Governor expressed, “This meeting aims to assess the implementation of schemes at the grassroots and pinpoint existing obstacles.”

Discussions covered significant topics such as Ekalavya Model Residential Schools, scholarship opportunities, the Forest Rights Act (FRA) of 2006, Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Minor Forest Produce (MFP), PM-JANMAN, and the verification of fraudulent caste certificates.

Kambhampati instructed officials to resolve all outstanding FRA ‘patta’ applications within a 90-day timeframe and to consider alternatives prior to any eviction actions.

He emphasized that no qualified student should miss out on scholarship opportunities and urged departments to enhance the performance of schools managed by ST and SC Development. Regarding MFP procurement, he called for the removal of intermediaries and the exploration of broader market avenues.

“Tribal communities deserve fair compensation. We should promote MSMEs to process forest products,” he stated.

Addressing connectivity issues, he advocated for complete mobile network coverage in tribal areas and increased awareness of social security initiatives like PMJJBY, PMSBY, and the Atal Pension Yojana.

“While we cannot force enrollment, it is crucial for individuals to grasp the benefits. Current outreach efforts are insufficient,” he noted.

The Governor also recommended the adoption of rooftop solar systems for tribal households and highlighted the importance of timely annual report submissions.