Sonbhadra (Uttar Pradesh), Nov 15 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, declared on Saturday that no eligible tribal family in the state will be excluded from government welfare initiatives.

He emphasized that the NDA's dual-engine administration, spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is dedicated to promoting development, safety, and effective governance, while integrating the tribal community as equal contributors to the state's advancement.

During the Tribal Pride Day event in Chopan, commemorating the 150th birth anniversary of 'Dharti Aba' Birsa Munda, the Chief Minister stated that the occasion aimed to connect tribal pride with contemporary development.

“Birsa Munda’s motto of ‘Abu Desh, Abu Raj’ resonates today with the spirit of ‘Nation First’. Our administration firmly supports the tribal community in their quest for security, dignity, and self-sufficiency,” he asserted.

Yogi expressed optimism that tribal individuals across Uttar Pradesh, motivated by Birsa Munda’s principles, would keep playing an active role in fostering the nation’s unity, security, and prosperity.

He reminisced about how Birsa Munda’s fight against British colonialism compelled the government to acknowledge tribal rights, stating that the current government is upholding this legacy through respect, inclusion, and development.

A large assembly of tribal community members at the event illustrated the increasing aspirations and belief in transformation.

Descendants of freedom fighters were honored, and land pattas were issued to tribal families in accordance with the Forest Rights Act.

The Chief Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation for development projects amounting to Rs 548 crore for Sonbhadra.

A booklet detailing Sonbhadra’s tourist attractions and a publication about Birsa Munda were also unveiled.

He awarded certificates to beneficiaries of various initiatives and launched 25 scooters for female police officers under Mission Shakti.

Cultural groups from Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Sonbhadra exhibited the richness of India’s tribal heritage through traditional dance performances.

The Chief Minister spotlighted Sonbhadra’s distinctive geographical and cultural identity, branding it both the energy capital and a treasure trove of human history and natural heritage.

He remarked that the ancient fossil remains at Salkhan Fossil Park—now recognized by UNESCO—enhance the district’s global prominence.

Of the 15 tribes in Uttar Pradesh, 14 inhabit Sonbhadra, which is home to over four lakh tribal residents whose lives illustrate a living heritage of human civilization.

The Chief Minister stated that the Dharti Aaba Tribal Village Utkarsh Abhiyan, under the PM Jan Man Yojana, is propelling infrastructure and comprehensive development in 517 tribal-dominated villages.

The tribal populace of Uttar Pradesh, totaling 11 lakh and spread across districts including Sonbhadra, Chandauli, Mirzapur, Chitrakoot, Balrampur, Lakhimpur Kheri, Shravasti, and Bahraich, is being included in various schemes with a saturation approach to guarantee that no eligible family is overlooked, he remarked.

He criticized past governments for procrastinating on decisions, even after amendments to the Forest Rights Act, which he claimed led to the exploitation of tribal communities.

Conversely, he stated that the current government has made significant strides to provide forest land leases to legitimate claimants. More than 23,000 forest rights leases have been sanctioned, with over 1,000 distributed during Saturday’s gathering.

“This has not only granted tribal families ownership rights but has also concluded a decades-long cycle of fear and exploitation,” he noted.

Yogi asserted that ensuring access to social security—land pattas, housing, ration cards, Ayushman Bharat cards, toilets, and pensions for the elderly and destitute women—is a fundamental priority of the government.