New Delhi
As District Collectors and Project Officers (Integrated Tribal Development Agency) from over 10 States (33 Districts and 64 Aspirational Districts) attended the “Workshop on Good Governance”, organized by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs at the Civil Service Officers Institute in New Delhi, Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda, who was the chief guest, said creation of health profile for 7 crore tribals for elimination of SCD will be implemented in Mission Mode.
“District Collectors must give emphasis on eradication of SCD from tribal areas. They must put their mind, heart and soul to ensure that STP and TSP budget allotment is done as per the tribal population and it is utilized effectively at ground level. Institutional development should be matched with taking ownership. It’s high time to ensure scheme awareness at grassroot level. We should work on our weakness to convert it into our strength,” Munda stressed.
The District Collectors and Project Officers (ITDA) of Scheduled Areas shared their experiences on gaps in policy and implementation, making recommendations and suggestions on bridging them through mutual learning in their areas. In a statement, the Ministry said, the workshop was outcome-oriented and focused on the approach towards the integration of Constitutional and legal provisions (Schedule V, PESA Act, FRA, POA Act) with developmental aspects along with an analysis of the administrative structure for their implementation.
Among others the outcomes of the workshop envisaged use of technology, especially digital technology for documentation, monitoring of implementation and for formulation of evidence-based policies, planning to ensure a long-term vision of development and bringing implementation issues to be brought to the fore.
Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Renuka Singh Saruta also contributed to the talks. She said, “There has been significant improvement in the condition of tribals, as we now have a President of India and about eight ministers from the tribal background who hold influential positions in the country. Recently, our Ministry’s Tableau, focusing on Eklavya Model Residential Schools, where tribal education is stressed upon, won the first position at the Republic Day Parade on Kartavya Path. Hence, today’s seminar will emphasise on creating awareness of the Ministry’s schemes and policies to ensure the holistic development of tribals and reach the last mile for the welfare of the country.”
Anil Kumar Jha, Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, expressed his happiness over the “full attendance” of the District Collectors and Project Officers in the workshop and emphasised that the role of the Ministry is focused on the welfare of the tribal communities as this section of the society requires the most assistance in all spheres of life; health, education, livelihood, government policies etc. He said the Government will also constitute a Scheduled Areas Cell to address and resolve matters relevant to tribals through holistic solutions.
While Dr Subhas Sarkar, Minister of State for Education also attended the Workshop sessions, officers of the Tribal Affairs Ministry, including the Additional Secretary and Joint Secretaries and other senior officers moderated the various group discussions, besides giving presentations on four key themes.
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs will be conducting more such informative workshops in form of a series from time to time to encourage dialogues with various stakeholders for sharing experiences and inviting suggestions to promote new ideas, integrate tribals into the mainstream, to collectively achieve the goal of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayaas’ and to chart the way forward with this intention, the Ministry stated.
