Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: In a scathing critique of the Congress party, Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant asserted that the previous Congress governments had “ignored the existence” of Goa’s tribal communities. Speaking at the launch of the 30-day Dharti Aaba Janbhagidari Abhiyan—a joint awareness and benefit campaign under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the Directorate of Tribal Affairs, Goa—Sawant emphasized that the BJP’s core identity is built on the principles of tribal empowerment.
“I may not have a blood relation with the tribal community, but I share a strong social bond with them. BJP is committed to their upliftment, unlike the Congress which failed to even recognize their rights and identity,” Sawant said, underscoring the BJP’s firm stance on tribal welfare.
The awareness campaign, aimed at informing tribal communities about government schemes and ensuring effective use of the ₹79 crore allocated for their welfare, was inaugurated by Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Jual Oram, and Chief Minister Dr. Sawant. Oram assured that the Ministry has sufficient funds to support initiatives but emphasized that the key to tribal empowerment lies in the local leadership’s commitment to executing these schemes on the ground.
“We are not short of funds. If there is a genuine commitment to work for the upliftment of the tribal community, we will provide all necessary support,” Oram said, adding that Goa was leading the way in tribal empowerment.
GLA Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar echoed Sawant’s remarks, praising the BJP for its consistent efforts to empower the tribal population, noting that only the BJP had truly championed tribal rights in Goa.
The Dharti Aaba Janbhagidari Abhiyan is set to reach out to thousands of tribal families across Goa, ensuring they are fully informed of their entitlements and can benefit from central and state government schemes aimed at their welfare.
This high-profile launch highlights the BJP’s ongoing commitment to tribal empowerment, a central theme of the party’s governance in the state. As Goa continues to lead in this vital initiative, the message is clear: the BJP will not back down from advocating for the rights and future of its tribal population, a sharp contrast to what is portrayed as Congress’s historical neglect.
