Jual Oram Minister of Tribal Affairs
1. We have done very good work this year, which has improved the overall confidence of the tribal population in the country. To begin with, the Tribal Sub Plan allocation was increased by 15 per cent, which really boosted up the activities of the ministry. Admissions in Ekalavya model schools have seen a huge increase. Tribal accounts have increased in the Jan Dhan Yojana. More importantly, my ministry has ensued there has not been any violation of tribal rights.
2. There has been no initiative that we had planned and not taken off yet. The prime minister was very supportive and is very keen about tribal welfare measures. So there are no failures.
3. We are working on many initiatives. Tribal welfare is one of the top agendas. Our focus will be to improve the education of tribals. Forest Rights Act (FRA) is another thrust area. We want to create more awareness about FRA among tribals and gram sabhas. Equally important for us are the plans to bring tribals into the mainstream. We also plan to take the Van Bandhu Kalyan Yojana to the next level by roping in lawmakers for development of tribal areas.
4. I am a tribal, and the first tribal minister. I understand what it is to be a tribal. I can proudly state that my ministry has put its foot down whenever and wherever there have been any violations of tribal rights.