Tribal welfare is priority of Govt: Home Minister Amit Shah
   Date :15-Jun-2022

Tribal welfare is priority of Govt 
 
 
 
Staff Reporter
Union Home and Co-operatives Minister Amit Shah has said that much more is now being spent on the welfare of the tribals. This is proof of the Government’s commitment. Union Minister Shah said that Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak, has an important role in the preservation of tribal culture. Literature, folk music and folk arts associated with tribal culture have their own special characteristics. Amarkantak region is home to many rare medicines, which are very useful in the prevention of diseases. It was from Amarkantak that Adi Shankaracharya chose the path of life from a child to a great personality. It is also the origin of the Narmada river, the lifeline for crores of people. The university also became a medium to present the contribution of tribal heroes in the freedom struggle to the entire society. Union Home Minister Shah was speaking at the inauguration ceremony of newly-constructed Academic Housing Building and Agricultural Produce Storage House in the campus of Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak from New Delhi as the chief guest on Tuesday. Shah said that there was a time when tribal development was not given so much emphasis. The role of Tribal Ministry became significant during the tenure of former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasised on work based on affordability, accessibility, quality, fairness and accountability through the new education policy. The implementation of education policy by Tribal University is commendable.
Budget and focus also increased for tribal development: Union Home Minister Shah said that the Government of India has focused on tribal development along with increasing the budget for the welfare of the tribals. In the year 2013-14, only Rs 21,000 crore was spent on tribal sub-plan, which has increased to Rs 86,000 crore. This is a four-fold increase. Clean drinking water has reached more than 1.25 crore tribal families under the Har Ghar Nal Yojana. Not only this, more than 82 lakh Ayushman cards have been issued. The houses of 38 lakh tribals have been constructed in the country.
More than three crore tribal farmers have also got the benefit of PM Samman Nidhi given to farmers. Eklavya Model Schools which were only 278 in the year 2013-14, have increased to 1418. The annual expense per student was also only Rs 42,000, which has now become Rs 1.9 lakh. The expenditure on education has increased from Rs 1,000 crore to Rs 25,00 crore. Not conflict but discussion is the way to a solution: Union Home Minister Shah said that there is a need to save tribals from people who misguide the masses. Research should be done on the laws related to the tribal category at the level of this university. Shah said that instead of conflict, discussion and dialogue is the solution to every problem. Therefore, through this means, success can also be achieved in preventing separation. Home Minister Shah said that Prime Minister Modi also believes in dialogue. The doors of the government are always open for discussion. Universities should underline the contribution of tribal heroes: Union Home Minister Shah said that information regarding local specific medicines should be disseminated. The contribution of tribal heroes should be highlighted effectively by the students of the university. Madhya Pradesh has been the land of such heroes. Students should be made aware of the martyrdom and valour of Shankar Shah and Raghunath Shah. The purpose of establishing this university with four thousand students on 400 acres of land will prove worthwhile when work is done with the spirit of dedication to bring the tribal class into the mainstream along with increasing the tribal pride and culture. The Regional Campus of the University in Manipur should also play this role. The information about the struggle that the heroes of the tribal category went through in different areas of the country should also come to the fore. Andaman and Nicobar are also included in such regions.