Bhubaneswar, May 2: Odisha Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati on Friday proposed the formation of a high-level Task Force under the Chairmanship of the Chief Minister of the State to ensure better coordination and effective implementation of key legislations and welfare programmes including the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA), the Forest Rights Act (FRA), and various schemes of the ST & SC Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare Department.

The Governor made this suggestion during a comprehensive review meeting of the department held at New Abhishek Hall, Raj Bhavan, on Friday. ST & SC Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare Minister Nityananda Gond was present at the meeting, along with senior government officials.

Highlighting the involvement of multiple departments in implementing PESA, FRA, and related initiatives, as well as in other significant welfare programmes of the department, the Governor stated, 'A dedicated Task Force will help streamline coordination, enable joint planning, and resolve implementation challenges more effectively.

During the review, Dr. Kambhampati took stock of the status of the Tribal Advisory Council (TAC), pricing and market linkages for Minor Forest Produce (MFP), implementation of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) recommendations, and key legislations such as the Forest Rights Act, PESA Act, Protection of Civil Rights Act, and the SC & ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

The Governor also reviewed the progress of flagship schemes including the Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana, PM JANMAN, PM-AJAY, PMAGY, Dharti Aba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, Mukhyamantri Janajati Jeevika Mission, and the Odisha PVTG Empowerment and Livelihoods Improvement Programme.

Expressing concern over the delay in framing the rules for PESA implementation in Odisha, Dr. Kambhampati urged officials to expedite the process. He also emphasized the need to convene meetings of the Tribal Advisory Council twice a year, as mandated by the Constitution.

The Governor called for timely submission of the department’s annual report and underlined the importance of efficient fund utilization. “If a target of 120% utilization is set, at least 100% can realistically be achieved,” he said.

Education, skill development, and welfare of tribal communities were also prominent on the agenda. The Governor inquired about the status of scholarships, hostel facilities, and vacancies in educational institutions, as well as employment-linked skill development programmes.

He also sought updates on market linkage for Koraput Coffee and the provision of entitlements to families relocated from the Similipal Biosphere Area. Drawing attention to infrastructure deficits in tribal regions, Dr. Kambhampati pointed out challenges in transporting equipment for mobile connectivity and stressed the need for targeted development in remote areas.

To better understand the situation on the ground, the Governor said he would personally talk to Project Administrators to learn about the progress and problems in tribal areas.

The review meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary of Forest, Environment & Climate Change Department, Satyabrata Sahu; Additional Chief Secretary of Revenue & Disaster Management Department, Deoranjan Kumar Singh; Principal Secretary of the ST & SC Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare Department, Sanjeeb Kumar Mishra; Commissioner-cum-Secretary of Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water Department, Girish S. N.; Principal Secretary to the Governor, NBS Rajput; and senior officials from concerned departments.