Odisha Cabinet Approves LABHA Scheme for Tribal Empowerment

Odisha Cabinet Approves LABHA Scheme Advancing Tribal Empowerment

LABHA Scheme for Odisha's Tribal 

Odisha Government's Vision: LABHA Yojana for Tribal Empowerment

Bhubaneswar, Odisha - The Odisha Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, has given the green light to the LABHA (Laghu Bana Jatya Drabya Kraya) Scheme, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at empowering the tribal population in the state.

LABHA Scheme (LABHA Yojana): Transformative Tribal Development

The LABHA Yojana is a 100% state-funded Minimum Support Price (MSP) scheme for Minor Forest Produce (MFP). This scheme focuses on ensuring fair prices for tribal primary collectors, with the MSP determined annually by the state government. 

In Odisha, commonly found minor forest products include tamarind, mahua seed, sal seed, karanja seed, sal leaves, harida, chironjee seed, lac, honey, and gum karya.

LABHA SCHEME : Integration with Mission Shakti for Women Empowerment

Given that the majority of primary collectors are tribal women, LABHA Yojana integrates with Mission Shakti's Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs). The procurement centers, managed by SHGs or other notified agencies, will facilitate the sale of minor forest produce at MSP, promoting economic empowerment.

Also read: Government Schemes for Women

Transparent Procurement Automation System

In line with the 5T principles, the Procurement Automation System will leverage technology to ensure transparency in the collection process, providing significant benefits to tribal communities.

 Value Addition and Processing Units

To enhance the value of collected produce, the Tribal Development Cooperative Corporation of Odisha Limited (TDCCOL) will conduct e-tendering and explore value addition and processing units, ensuring greater profitability for the tribal population.

Tamarind Processing Plant for Additional Benefits

The state government is investing in a ₹25-crore tamarind processing plant in Rayagada, utilizing Minor Forest Produce procured through LABHA Yojana. This initiative aims to add value to tribal produce and eliminate distressed sales to middlemen.

 Preservation of Tribal Languages in Odisha

Odisha has 21 tribal languages, and the government wants to keep, promote, and develop them.

In a move to preserve, promote, and develop tribal languages, the Cabinet approved the establishment of the Commission for Preservation and Promotion of Tribal Languages. The commission will work towards including tribal languages such as Ho, Mundari, Kui, and Saora in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

Inclusive Approach

The Cabinet, through a unanimous resolution, reiterated the demand for the inclusion of 169 communities in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) list of Odisha. Additionally, a resolution to rescind the proposal for the amendment to Regulation 2/1956 was passed, emphasizing the state's commitment to tribal welfare.

The Chief Minister of Odisha has tweeted that :

" ଜନଜାତିଙ୍କ ଉନ୍ନତି ପାଇଁ 'ଲାଭ - ଲଘୁ ବନଜାତ ଦ୍ରବ୍ୟ କ୍ରୟ’ ଯୋଜନା ଲାଗୁ କରିବାକୁ କ୍ଯାବିନେଟରେ ନିଷ୍ପତ୍ତି ହୋଇଛି। ଏହା ଅଧୀନରେ ଜନଜାତିମାନେ ସର୍ବନିମ୍ନ ସହାୟକ ମୂଲ୍ୟରେ ଲଘୁ ବନଜାତ ଦ୍ରବ୍ୟ ବିକ୍ରି କରିପାରିବେ। ଏହି ଟଙ୍କା ସିଧାସଳଖ ହିତାଧିକାରୀଙ୍କ ବ୍ଯାଙ୍କଖାତାକୁ ପଠାଯିବା ସହ ଟିଡିସିସିଓଏଲ ସହ ଅନୁବନ୍ଧିତ ଏସଏଚଜିଗୁଡ଼ିକୁ ଏହାର ପରିଚାଳନା ଦାୟିତ୍ଵ ଦିଆଯିବ।

ଏହା ଅଧୀନରେ ରାୟଗଡ଼ରେ ₹୨୫ କୋଟି ବ୍ୟୟରେ ତେନ୍ତୁଳି ପ୍ରକ୍ରିୟାକରଣ ପ୍ଳାଣ୍ଟ ମଧ୍ୟ ପ୍ରତିଷ୍ଠା କରାଯିବ। ଲଘୁ ବନଜାତ ଦ୍ରବ୍ୟର ସୁବ୍ୟବସ୍ଥିତ ସଂଗ୍ରହ, ପ୍ରକ୍ରିୟାକରଣ ଓ ବଜାର ବ୍ୟବସ୍ଥାରେ ଏହା ସହାୟକ ହେବା ସହ ଜନଜାତିଙ୍କ ଜୀବିକା ଓ ଆର୍ଥିକ ଅଭିବୃଦ୍ଧିରେ ପ୍ରମୁଖ ଭୂମିକା ଗ୍ରହଣ କରିବ। "

Conclusion

These initiatives underscore Odisha's commitment to the holistic development of tribal communities, ensuring economic empowerment, language preservation, and inclusive growth. The LABHA Scheme marks a significant step towards fostering sustainable livelihoods for the tribal population in the state.

Kalia Scholarship of Odisha