Odisha’s Tribal Development Model To Be Replicated Nationally: NITI Aayog CEO

Keonjhar: Hailing the steps taken for the development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) in Odisha’s Keonjhar, NITI Aayog CEO Parameswara Iyer said the model will be replicated nationally.

Iyer visited Keonjhar along with Odisha’s Development Commissioner  P K Jena, Secretary Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs Anil Kumar Jha, and Director NITI Aayog Amit Verma and saw various developmental works of the district meant for the PVTG, the Juanag recently.

“We saw the steps taken for tribal development and works done for the welfare and progress of PVTG in the district. It was a good experience. Good progress has been made,” the NITI Aayog CEO said.

Stating that work for tribal development has been done in a focussed manner in the district, he said efforts will be made to use the same methods at the national level in coordination with the Tribal Affairs Ministry.

Describing the delicacies served at the millet cafe at Keonjhar collectorate as very tasty, Iyer said a millet cage outlet will also be opened in NITI Aayog soon.

The high-profile team landed at Gonasika of Banspal Block and visited the tribal education complex meant for PVTG girls situated at Gonasika.

Keonjhar Collector Ashish Thakre gave a brief presentation about the socio-economic profile of the Juanga Tribe at the tribal museum situated in the education complex along with the different initiatives taken up by the state government for the PVTG uplift.

The team was briefed about the different initiative take up under High School transformation programme. Iyer interacted with children in the transformed smart classroom and appreciated the steps taken by state government and district administration under 5T high school transformation.

The team also visited one of the remotely located villages – Ghungi under Kodiposa GP of Banspal Block. The team observed the check dam, community pipe water supply and other activities taken up the district for the PVTG.

Then the team visited the government primary schools of Ghungi and and appreciated the innovative approach on tribal education taken up by the district.

The classroom setup and inclusion of cultural resources in school curriculum to bridge the language and cultural gap is one of major objective of link programme.