By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, July 26, 2017: In a bid to uplift the economic condition of tribals and ensure quality education to them, the Odisha government on Wednesday decided to set up the Tribal Special Development Council in nine districts.

The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister, Naveen Patnaik. The development council will function in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Kandhamal, Gajapati, Malkangiri, Rayagada, Koraput and Nabarangpur districts.

Announcing the Cabinet’s decision during a meeting at the State Secretariat here Patnaik said, “The councils will have decision making powers and financial resources to preserve, promote and develop unique socio-cultural identities and economic capacities of tribals in the state.”

All steps will be taken not to jeopardize their unique identity intact.

The government has targeted to spend Rs 175.5 crore annually for tribals of the State through these development councils in which representatives of 62 tribal groups will be members.

The State has 62 distinct scheduled tribes of which 13 are particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs). The tribals constitute 22% of the State’s population.