Ranchi/New Delhi
India’s G-20 presidency, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi has termed as a “moment of pride” and an opportunity for the country to focus on “global good” , is a never-before opportunity for the integrated growth of tribal areas and tribal society, feels Union Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda.
Munda has been going around stressing hard on availing the maximum benefits from the year-long presidency of India which will host more than 200 events across cities from ministerial meetings to cultural extravaganzas among others to mark the presidency.
“Think big. Work out concrete action plans to extract maximum benefits from the G-20 outcomes. The G-20 offers immense opportunities for the integrated growth of tribal areas and tribal society,” Munda recently told a group of villagers from his Khunti Lok Sabha constituency who had come to his Ranchi residence for different work.
Not surprising then that the Khunti district administration has accordingly taken certain new initiatives. Khunti Deputy Commissioner Shashi Ranjan said since the district’s socio-economic culture is agriculture-based, boosting agriculture is being given top priority.
A Kisan Pathshala, spread over 26 acres of land, has come up. Apart from new techniques of agriculture, the farmers are also being taught dairy and poultry farming besides being trained in other allied activities. ‘Custom hiring centres’ have come up at 13 places from where the farmers can hire various types of agricultural tools and equipment at nominal prices. For instance, a tractor is available for Rs 100 per day.
A 20-acre agriculture park is underway. Dragon fruit cultivation is being done over 200 acres of land across the district. Cultivation of Chikoo fruit too is steadily gaining popularity and over 10,000 mango saplings have already been planted, the official pointed out.
After completing large scale plantation of lemon grass, three processing plants have become fully functional role. The self help groups are being given agriculture loans at 4 percent interest rates. “Everything is being managed by the local self help groups, especially the ones being led by women. The district administration is only playing the facilitator’s role,” Shashi Ranjan stressed.
Deputy Development Commissioner Nitish Kumar went on to add that mobile hospitals are moving around in remote areas to extend health care services to poor villagers. “The prefabricated structure of a 50-bed hospital in Torpa is likely to become functional in next few days. Another 50-bed concrete structure hospital in Torpa too will be ready in 3–4 months. This way, Torpa will soon have 100-bed hospital facilities. Another 100 beds will be added to the Khunti district hospital,” he pointed out.
Special initiatives have also made to improve education facilities and promoting sports talents; attracting tourists and branding local handicraft. Tribal girls are being given special coaching for admission to engineering and medical colleges and B-schools or preparing for competitive exams under the Sapnon ki Udan campaign. Over 125 girls have so far been benefitted.
At Munda’s behest, the Union Rural Development Ministry will strengthen and widen 26 roads measuring 262.33 kms in different parts of the Khunti Lok Sabha constituency. Munda made recommendations in this regard on December 6 through a letter to the Union Rural Development Secretary. These roads will also be playing crucial roles in reviving the economy of the tribal hinterlands in Khunti Lok Sabha constituency area, officials said.
