CM Adhikari Announces Land Rights And Welfare Measures For Tribals (Img: X)
Jhargram: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday said his government had distributed forest land titles to 770 tribal people and collected the necessary data to extend the process across 1,237 identified forest villages. He also promised to address concerns of tribal communities related to land rights, language, culture and employment.
Speaking at an event in Jangalmahal to mark the 151st birth anniversary of tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda, observed across the country as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, Adhikari assured the gathering that his government would work towards fulfilling their aspirations.
“We will fulfil your aspirations concerning language, culture and land rights,” he said.
The chief minister accused former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of engaging with tribal women primarily for photographs. He also alleged that the previous Trinamool Congress (TMC) government had issued Scheduled Tribe certificates to individuals who did not belong to tribal communities.
“We will ensure that such do not recur,” he said, adding that 73 people had been apprehended for allegedly obtaining caste certificates by falsely claiming tribal status.
Adhikari also announced that members of the Sabar community would receive benefits under state welfare schemes meant for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), despite the community not being covered under the national programme.
আজ পশ্চিমবঙ্গ সরকারের পক্ষ থেকে ঝাড়গ্রাম জেলার শিলদায় স্বাধীনতা সংগ্রামী ও মহান জননায়ক ভগবান বিরসা মুন্ডার জন্মজয়ন্তী উপলক্ষে শ্রদ্ধার সঙ্গে পালিত হলো জনজাতি গৌরব দিবস। আজকের এই গৌরবময় অনুষ্ঠানে উপস্থিত থাকার সৌভাগ্য হলো।
যশস্বী প্রধানমন্ত্রী শ্রী নরেন্দ্র মোদী জির দূরদর্শী চিন্তাভাবনা ও উদ্যোগে প্রতি বছর ১৫ নভেম্বর ভগবান বিরসা মুন্ডার জন্মজয়ন্তীকে ‘জনজাতি গৌরব দিবস’ হিসেবে পালন করা হয়। আজকের এই বিশেষ কর্মসূচি থেকে জনজাতি পরিবারের হাতে তাঁদের জমির অধিকার সংক্রান্ত পাট্টা তুলে দেওয়া হয়েছে। আমাদের সরকার জনজাতি সমাজের জল, জঙ্গল ও জমির অধিকার সুরক্ষিত রাখতে এবং তাঁদের সম্মান, স্বনির্ভরতা ও সার্বিক উন্নয়ন নিশ্চিত করতে অঙ্গীকারবদ্ধ।
মহান জননায়ক ভগবান বিরসা মুন্ডার সংগ্রাম ও আদর্শ আমাদের সকলকে চিরকাল অনুপ্রাণিত করবে। ভগবান বিরসা মুন্ডার প্রতি বিনম্র শ্রদ্ধাঞ্জলি।
#জনজাতিগৌরবদিবস #JanjatiyaGauravDivas
— Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) November 15, 2026
The chief minister said all eligible beneficiaries under the Lokprasar Shilpi allowance scheme would be enrolled by December 31. He also promised to increase the allowance in the next state Budget.
Among the major announcements was a proposal to establish a tribal university in Jhargram, along with improvements to government hospitals in the district.
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“It is my duty to ensure that educated youths get jobs as per their eligibility,” Adhikari said, emphasising employment opportunities for educated tribal youth.
Adhikari credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi with starting the observance of Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas in 2021 to recognise the contributions of tribal communities. He also highlighted Droupadi Murmu's election as India's first tribal woman President during the BJP-led government's tenure.
Accusing the TMC of voting against Murmu in the presidential election, he told the gathering, “You (the tribals) know who your friends are and who your foes are.”
He further claimed that his ministry had more tribal ministers than any state government since Independence and thanked voters for electing BJP candidates from 16 Scheduled Tribe-reserved Assembly constituencies.
During the event, Adhikari laid the foundation stones for 137 projects worth Rs 274.43 crore in Jhargram district. These include 73 roads, nine school development projects and eight hostels.
He also inaugurated 51 completed projects worth Rs 47.59 crore, covering 13 roads, 10 anganwadi centres and six school development works, among other initiatives.
