Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari inaugurated a new nutrition support scheme aimed at eligible tribal families on Friday in Jhargram. This initiative will provide essential food items, including rice, pulses, cooking oil, and soya chunks, on a weekly basis. The chief minister emphasised that this programme is an addition to the existing ration scheme under the PM Annasurakhya Yojana, which seeks to ensure that no tribal community member lacks access to nutritious food.

Details of the Scheme

The state government announced this nutrition support initiative in the budget for the current year, specifically targeting families belonging to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). According to Adhikari, the scheme is expected to benefit approximately 70,000 families residing in the Jhargram and Paschim Medinipur districts. The launch event took place in Kalajharia, a village predominantly inhabited by the Lodha-Sabar tribal community, highlighting the government’s focus on these communities.

During the inauguration, Adhikari stated that biometric verification would be implemented to ensure that every eligible family receives the benefits of the scheme. This measure aims to prevent any eligible family from being excluded from the programme. The chief minister also announced an increase in the monthly old-age pension for Scheduled Tribe beneficiaries to ₹1,500, reflecting the government’s commitment to improving the welfare of tribal communities.

Additionally, the chief minister revealed that around two lakh students in Jhargram would be awarded Scheduled Tribe scholarships, each amounting to ₹800. This financial support is intended to enhance educational opportunities for tribal students, further contributing to their development.

Government Development Plans for Jhargram

Adhikari outlined various development plans for the Jhargram region, including the establishment of tribal universities in Bankura and Jhargram. The government has allocated ₹342 crore for the development of Jhargram, and the district magistrate has been instructed to ensure comprehensive progress within a six-month timeframe. These initiatives are part of a broader strategy to enhance the living conditions and opportunities for tribal communities in the area.

In his address, the chief minister also took the opportunity to criticise the previous government, alleging that it had hindered the implementation of several Central government schemes. He claimed that the former chief minister had only allocated ₹6 crore for development work in the western region of the state, contrasting it with the current government’s substantial investment in tribal welfare.

Furthermore, Adhikari announced the forthcoming launch of the ‘Adivasi Mahila Samriddhi Yojana,’ which aims to provide guaranteed employment for 125 days. He assured the community that new job cards would be issued to those seeking them, further supporting the local workforce and enhancing economic stability.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store – https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share