Bhubaneswar, July 18: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday called upon the newly appointed Chairpersons and Deputy Chairpersons of Odisha's Special Development Councils (SDCs) to work with commitment for the welfare of tribal communities, stressing that his government's politics is rooted in the principle of Antayodaya—serving the poorest and the last person in society.

The Chief Minister was addressing a discussion meeting with the newly appointed heads of 23 Special Development Councils at Lok Seva Bhawan.

Majhi said his government has been working for the welfare of all sections of society since assuming office, with a special emphasis on tribal development.

"For us, politics is not about acquiring power but about serving the poorest people in the last row, whom we call Antayodaya. You should reach out to them and work for their welfare," he said.

He advised the council members to work with patience, remain connected to the grassroots, and raise local issues before district-level authorities.

He assured them that departmental officials and ministers would extend necessary support and that arrangements were being made to ensure they function with dignity and authority at the district level.

Emphasising the importance of field engagement, the Chief Minister said his government believes in action rather than rhetoric.

He urged the council members to regularly visit villages, understand people's problems firsthand, and address them with a positive approach.

"We believe in action, not words. Go to the field regularly, understand people's issues, and work with the spirit of 'Yes, We Can.' Success will certainly follow," he said.

Highlighting the importance of tribal welfare, Majhi noted that nearly one-fourth of Odisha's population belongs to tribal communities, many of whom continue to lag behind in development.

"Since our government came to power, we have been giving special attention to tribal development. We must work sincerely to bring transformative changes in their lives," he said.

The Chief Minister also underscored the need to preserve Odisha's rich tribal heritage, saying the language, art and culture of tribal communities have significantly enriched the state's identity.

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi', he said development must go hand in hand with the preservation of cultural heritage.

Addressing the gathering, ST & SC Development Minister Nityanand Gond said the Special Development Councils have been constituted to strengthen grassroots development while preserving tribal art, culture and heritage.

He urged the members to identify and communicate local issues to the government for timely resolution.