Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Monday launched "Aapke Adhikar, Aapki Sarkar, Aapke Dwar (your rights, your government, at your doorsteps)" campaign at freedom fighter Birsa Munda’s native village and called upon the members of the tribal community to become aware of their rights.

During a ceremony held at the Birsa Munda Complex in Ulihatu, about 60km south of state capital Ranchi, the Chief Minister also felicitated Sukhram Munda, a descendant of Birsa Munda, whose birth anniversary was observed as "Janjatiya Gaurav Divas" across India.

Launching Aapke Adhikar, Aapki Sarkar, Aapke Dwar campaign, a 45-day programme aimed at ensuring the benefits of various government schemes reach beneficiaries, Hemant requested large-scale public participation in making the campaign successful and warned officials, who fail to discharge their duties, of action.

“Your government has come to your doorsteps to serve you better. But our welfare campaigns can only be successful if you all show active participation in them,” said Hemant. “At least 15 lakh beneficiaries are being provided green ration cards, tribal students are being sent abroad for higher education, and sportspersons are being provided direct job appointment letters,” he added, counting the initiatives of his government.

Hemant suggested that local residents could take up poultry business seriously to make the state self-sufficient in meeting the demand for eggs. He said that the state government had started providing eggs six days a week to school children and children at Anganwadis, and has to rely on poultry supplies from other states to meet the demand.

“If we become self-reliant in poultry products, then the state will not have to purchase eggs from other states, and locals will also get a source of income,” said Hemant, adding that the tribal community already has expertise in poultry and animal husbandry.

The government also officially launched Universal Pension Scheme for senior citizens of the state on Monday. At least five beneficiaries from Ulihatu handed over their pension application to the chief minister during the ceremony.

“We have done away with the mandate of APL and BPL cards for the beneficiaries of the Universal Pension Scheme in order to make the process simpler,” he said.

Under the Universal Pension Scheme, all the citizens above the age of 60 years, specially-abed or widow above the age of 18 years will be eligible for benefits if none of their immediate family members are taxpayers or a permanent employee of the government.

“Awareness is strength. Members of the tribal community need to be aware of their history and their rights,” said Hemant, adding that Jharkhand was formed after years of struggle by reformers who had dreamt of a separate state, and the tribal youths need to value their contribution.

Born in 1875 in Ulihatu village of Khunti district, Birsa Munda had challenged the British rule and is credited with mobilising the tribal people against the British empire. The freedom fighter died in British custody at an early age of 25 years and attained a folk hero status. His portrait hangs in the Indian Parliament Museum.