MANISH GUPTA
Ranchi, Nov 7: Tribal businessman Santosh Oraon, who was made Chairman of the Tribal Business Development Committee (TBDC), a recently constituted unit of state-level chamber FJCCI, is waiting for the chamber’s support to start delivering his duties.
“Hardly 10 per cent of the businesses and industries in Jharkhand are owned by tribals. I have a big responsibility but I need support from the chamber to extend support to the tribals,” Oraon told lagatar24.com when contacted to understand his vision.
The 42-year-old businessman was nominated by the Federation of Jharkhand Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FJCCI) to head the committee on 16 October 2022 but he is yet to get any office space, staff or budget by the chamber to start performing.
“At a personal level, I am in discussion with eight to 10 tribals trying to encourage them in starting their own business. However, there is not much I can do at an individual level. Even to get the government’s support, the chamber needs to come forward,” he said.
Oraon, who is in the construction material business in Ranchi, said that tribals generally prefer government jobs and farming. Some of them who do get into the business are mostly into small businesses like ration shops and poultry, with some exceptions in real estate.
“Till now I have got no help from the chamber. I was made the Chairman a month back but there has been no interaction on this front since then. The office bearers will have to extend their support to empower me so that I can handhold the tribal businessmen.
“There are various government schemes to help tribals in starting their business and if the government officials cooperate a lot can be achieved. For this, too, the chamber will have to come forward and meet the officials. I plan to take this up with the chamber.”
However, Oraon said that as the committee has just been formed he is hopeful that the chamber and himself as the president of the committee for a year will be able to make a major difference in the business landscape of Jharkhand with more tribals participating.
