Guwahati: Union tribal affairs minister Arjun Munda met Assam Governor professor Jagdish Mukhi at Raj Bhavan on Monday and discussed steps for bringing about more developments for the tribal people, where the Governor assured matching steps from the State government in Dispur for taking all schemes and programmes of the Centre to empower people socially, academically and economically.
Both of them discussed in details about Van Dhan Yojana and its implementation for the welfare of tribal people in Assam. Minister Munda informed about his ministry’s decision to set up 400 Van Dhan Vikas centres, seven Eklavya model residential schools and five tribal food parks in the State. He commented that it would be a game changer for the tribals and will go a long way in creating more employment avenues for them.
Earlier, Munda met with State chief minister Himanta Biswa Sharma during his first day of two-day Assam visit. The purpose of this meeting was to review and understand the status of the implementation of various tribal development programs in the State. Munda commented that his ministry is trying to add value to the existing traditional system and lifestyle of the tribal people.
“There should be a development program through which the entire north-eastern region can progress. It has to be in a way that the region can be presented as a development model. Northeast’s gateway Assam has to play an important role. We have discussed regarding the tribal areas and the program that have been carried out there,” said Munda while appreciating CM Sarma’s efforts to lead Assam on the path of developments.
“Assam is moving forward under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and I am happy that Assam is developing under the leadership of HB Sarma,” stated the Union minister adding that the State and Centre have been working in close coordination to achieve the target and promote the tribal artisans on the national as well as international level.
It may be mentioned that Assam has a substantial tribal population of 3,308,570 forest dwellers who constitute 12.4% of its total population. The State has utilized various relevant schemes directly benefiting 37,786 forest tribal gatherers. Sarma has meanwhile directed the concerned department to provide necessary land for Eklavya schools. Presently, construction of five such schools are underway in the State.
The ministry is planning to take similar review, monitoring and implementation of programs at ground level in all States so that impact in generating income for the tribal people and empowering them be hastened. Munda asserted that the mission to effect a complete transformation of tribal lives and livelihoods across the country and progress towards an Atmanirbhar Bharat has been accelerated.
