Full Name: Shri Jual Oram
Political Party: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
Constituency: Sundargarh (ST), Odisha
Born: March 22, 1961
Place of Birth: Kendudihi, Sundargarh District, Odisha
Profession: Politician
Position: Senior Leader of BJP, Former Union Minister
Early Life and Education
Shri Jual Oram was born on March 22, 1961, in the village of Kendudihi, located in Sundargarh district, Odisha. He comes from a humble background, and as a member of the tribal community (Scheduled Tribe), his early life experiences played a significant role in shaping his political career. He completed his early education in his hometown and pursued a diploma in electrical engineering. His educational background in engineering set him apart from many of his political contemporaries.
Entry into Politics
Jual Oram’s entry into politics was primarily driven by his commitment to uplift the marginalized tribal communities in Odisha. His deep connection with the tribal population allowed him to build a strong political base in the region. His political journey began at the grassroots level, and over time, he became a prominent leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Odisha.
Political Career
1. State-Level Politics
Shri Oram made his mark in Odisha politics as a BJP leader with a focus on tribal rights and development. His strong advocacy for the welfare of tribal communities gained him immense popularity in Sundargarh, a region dominated by tribal populations. He was elected to the Odisha Legislative Assembly and served as an MLA before moving to national-level politics.
2. Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha)
Shri Jual Oram has represented the Sundargarh (ST) constituency in Odisha multiple times as a Member of Parliament (MP) in the Lok Sabha, beginning his tenure in 1998. His popularity and grassroots support helped him secure repeated victories from the region.
3. Ministerial Roles
- Minister for Tribal Affairs (1999-2004): In 1999, during Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s government, Shri Oram was appointed as the Union Minister for Tribal Affairs. During his tenure, he focused on policies aimed at improving the socio-economic conditions of tribal communities across India, addressing issues such as education, employment, and land rights.
- Minister of Tribal Affairs (2014-2019): After the BJP’s sweeping victory in the 2014 general elections, Shri Jual Oram was again appointed as the Minister of Tribal Affairs under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet. He played a key role in implementing welfare schemes for tribals, pushing forward policies related to healthcare, education, and employment for indigenous communities.
4. Prominent Achievements as Minister
- Development Initiatives for Tribal Communities: As the Tribal Affairs Minister, Shri Oram was instrumental in advocating for better healthcare, educational facilities, and infrastructural development in tribal areas. He worked towards the effective implementation of schemes such as the Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP), and the Forest Rights Act, and promoted tribal handicrafts and industries.
- Support for Education: Oram actively supported the establishment of residential schools (Eklavya Model Residential Schools) in tribal areas to provide quality education to children from Scheduled Tribes.
- Focus on Forest Rights: His tenure witnessed efforts to ensure the implementation of the Forest Rights Act (2006), which aimed at granting land and forest rights to tribal communities living in forest areas.
Personal Life
Shri Jual Oram is married to Smt. Jhingia Oram, and they have two daughters. Despite his success in politics, he remains closely connected to his roots in Sundargarh and is deeply committed to tribal causes. His lifestyle reflects the simplicity and dedication to serving the marginalized sections of society, particularly the tribal population in Odisha.
Legacy and Impact
Shri Jual Oram is recognized as one of the tallest tribal leaders in Odisha and India. His commitment to tribal rights and his efforts to bring about socio-economic changes in tribal regions have made him a respected figure. He has consistently used his political platform to raise awareness about tribal issues and has been a crucial voice for the marginalized in Indian politics.