Jual Oram, has stated that Government of India is committed to make a comprehensive, all –encompassing strategy to empower tribals to ensure their welfare and well being and provide sustainable development while preserving their unique identities and culture. During the two-day dialogue with the stakeholders it is expected that we would achieve tangible outcomes in the all-round welfare of tribal community. Low learning outcomes, attendance and retention of tribal children remain issues of major concern from the very early years particularly at upper primary and secondary level. The educational status of tribal children as compared to children of other social groups continues to remain loud. The Minister advised to take suitable remedial measures to overcome these shot comings.A two-day long Regional Consultation with the states/ UTs of Goa, Gujarat, ;Karnataka, Madhaya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Daman and Diu on tribal affairs was jointly organized by Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Department for International Development (DFID) with the technical assistance provided by IPE Global. Shri Oram inaugurated the two-day long consultation.
While speaking on the occasion, Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Mansukhbhai Vasava, expressed concern that even though, focused efforts have been made for the development of tribals over the years, but the desired outcomes have not been achieved. The short comings need to be addressed in a more focused manner. The deliberations are aimed mainly to take stock of the problems faced by the states in implementing the various schemes of the Ministry relating to tribal community and to prepare a roadmap to achieve a meaningful outcome for the welfare of tribal communities, he added. The Micro Project Agencies for addressing development of specific tribal groups for protecting their rights and accessing various eligible benefits. The Ministry has now introduced an Umbrella Scheme for the improvement of education of tribal children. He expressed his concern for shortage of teachers in Ashram Schools and advised the concerned ministers of states to take immediate action to fill all vacant posts of teachers.
In the welcome address Shri Ramesh Tawadkar, Minister of Sports, Youth and Tribal Affairs, Government of Goa, explained in detail the efforts taken by Government of Goa in improving the overall scenario of tribal population in the State. He thanked Government of India for organizing the consultation in Goa which, he said, indicates the importance given to the tribal development in the region. In the opening remarks by Union Secretary, Tribal Affairs, Dr. Hrusikesh Panda, stressed the need for institutional strengthening of ITDAs/ ITDPs, TRIs and the importance for carrying out research activities, training to fill the gap in literacy and other human development indices between tribal community and other social groups. Certain major problems faced by tribal children including malnutrition and sharp dropout rates were highlighted. Various state specific problems that need to be taken care of while planning and budgeting were highlighted in his remarks. Minister of Tribal Welfare of Gujarat, Shri Ganapatibhai Vasava, Minister of Social Justice of Karnataka, Shri H. Anjaneya, Minister of Tribal Welfare of Maharashtra Madhukarrao Pichad, addressed and brought into the achievements and shortcomings in the areas of tribal development in these respective states.