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West Bengal announces new welfare measures for tribal communities (Img: Dynamite News)
Kolkata: The West Bengal government has launched a special nutrition support scheme for tribal families, under which eligible households will receive rice, pulses, cooking oil and soya bean every week.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari launched the scheme on Friday at a state-level programme in Kalajharia village in the tribal-dominated Jhargram district. According to the state government, around 70,000 families in Jhargram and Paschim Medinipur districts are expected to benefit from the initiative. Eligible tribal households in Purulia and Alipurduar are also set to be covered.
Adhikari said the scheme would be separate from the food grains provided under the Pradhan Mantri Anna Suraksha Yojana. Its primary objective is to ensure that eligible families, particularly those belonging to particularly vulnerable tribal groups, have access to nutritious food and do not face shortages because of financial hardship.
The state government had announced the initiative in its budget. Biometric verification will be used to identify beneficiaries and maintain transparency in the distribution process. However, details about the exact quantity of food supplies each family will receive and the distribution schedule are yet to be announced.
The chief minister also announced measures aimed at supporting elderly members of the tribal community and encouraging students to continue their education.
According to Adhikari, the monthly pension for elderly members of Scheduled Tribes has been increased to Rs 1,500. He also announced financial assistance of Rs 800 under the Scheduled Tribe scholarship scheme for two lakh students in Jhargram.
The government said these measures would provide additional financial support to tribal households and help promote education among children.
The state government also outlined plans to establish tribal universities in Bankura and Jhargram to improve access to higher education for tribal students. In addition, Rs 342 crore has been allocated for the development of Jhargram district.
Adhikari directed the district magistrate to push forward development work over the next six months, with an emphasis on improving basic facilities and accelerating local projects.
During the programme, Adhikari accused the previous Trinamool Congress government of failing to implement several Central government schemes. He also criticised the previous administration over the pace of development in the western parts of West Bengal.
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The chief minister said the state would soon launch the "Adivasi Mahila Samriddhi Yojana" to strengthen the financial position of tribal women.
He also promised 125 days of guaranteed employment and said new job cards would be issued to those who had applied for them.
