SUANPAL (ODISHA): Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh on Sunday blasted the State government for keeping innocent tribals in jails without verifying their credentials. After interacting with the tribals and members of Self Help Groups (SHGs) at Suanpal village under Jashipur block, a Maoists affected area in Mayurbhanj district he said thousands of innocent tribals were now languishing in various jails in Odisha and the State government should review the cases and initiate release them. “Every tribal should live with dignity and with self-esteem. The forest officials and police should also allow the tribals to do their jobs safely and freely. The government should return the lands to tribals and direct forestofficials not to lodge any case against them,” he mentioned besides insisting the government to properly implement the Gramin Vikash Yojanas in the tribal dominated areas in the State. Many areas in the State are affected in Maoists activities and people are here sandwiched between the police, the Government and Maoists, the Union Minister said. Every day there are incidents of Maoists attacks. “Like the elephant corridors, the Maoists have made their own corridor.” Jairam urged the local tribals to join hands with the government to put an end to Maoist menace and make their villages ‘Maobadi Mukta’ (Maoists free) area. He said pallisabhas can play a pivotal role in rooting out Maoist problem and bring them into mainstream.The Union Minister called upon Maoists leaders to take part in the electoral process. They can rule their area if they are elected like in many other states, said the minister.Jairam Ramesh however expressed his anguish over tardy progress of MGNREGA and PMGSY schemes in the State. He said job card holders in the State are not getting their wages for six to seven months. “We are allotting funds in time but people here are not getting in time. The State government should look into the matter seriously,” he added.
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