Bhubaneswar: The Odisha govt on Monday appointed chairpersons and vice-chairpersons for 23 special development councils (SDCs) in districts with a significant tribal population, reconstituting the bodies for the first time after the change in govt in June 2024. The previous SDCs were dissolved in Sept 2024.The special development councils are govt-established bodies aimed at accelerating development while preserving the culture and traditions of tribal communities. Initially set up in nine districts in 2017, the councils were expanded to 23 districts in 2023. Each council functions under a chairperson and a vice-chairperson—both drawn from tribal communities—and involves local tribal representatives in its functioning.While an SDC chairperson enjoys the status of a minister of state, the vice-chairperson is accorded the status equivalent to a vice-chairperson of a zilla parishad. Commenting on the appointments, deputy chief minister Pravati Parida said the move ahead of April 14, the birth anniversary of B R Ambedkar, reflected the BJP’s commitment to inclusive governance.“Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas are not mere slogans for us,” she said.She added that the cabinet’s decision on Saturday night to double reservations for SCs and STs in medical and technical courses, along with the reconstitution of the SDCs, underlined the govt’s resolve to ensure that the fruits of development reach the most disadvantaged sections.
