Govt claims quantum leap in the fund allocation to uplift tribals

Union Minister for education and skill development, Dharmendra Pradhan claimed a steep hike in the allocation of funds meant to uplift of the tribals across the country.
Addressing a press conference in Delhi on Wednesday, he said only because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s untiring efforts for the welfare of the tribal people the quantum leap in funding of centrally sponsored schemes has become possible.
According to him, the Centre has hiked the allocation for STC funds from Rs. 19,437 crore in 2014-15 to Rs. 87,585 crore and that in 2022-23, the allocation for Ministry of Tribal Affairs has also been increased from Rs. 3832 crore. in 2014-15 to Rs. 8407 crore.
He further said this is reflective of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to uplift the tribal population by touching aspects including protecting their culture, respecting their identity, education, health, self-employment.
Pradhan, who also holds the education portfolio, said education in local languages and mother tongue is one of the key focus areas of the National Education Policy 2020 of which, the tribal population will be a key beneficiary. He also spoke about the Eklavya Model Residential Schools for tribal population in which over 1 lakh students are enrolled.
He said the government is ensuring livelihood opportunities for tribals under scheme of the Van Dhan Kendras for tribal Self Help Groups, including 87 Minor Forest Produce items (MFP) under MSP, 273 tribal clusters under SFURTI.
The Prime Minister’s focus is on promoting millets, which offer nutritious diet and are primarily grown in tribal areas, he said.
He further maintained that the recently announced International Year of Millets on the initiative of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, will go a long way in empowering the tribal population, who contribute majorly to millets cultivation.