Indore (Madhya Pradesh) [India], August 20 : Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) Secretary Ranjana Chopra on Thursday undertook a field visit and progress review of tribal welfare schemes across Indore, interacting with beneficiaries and reviewing the last-mile delivery of various government programmes.
According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Chopra was accompanied by MoTA Additional Secretary Manish Thakur. Principal Secretary, Tribal Welfare, Madhya Pradesh, Gulshan Bamra, along with other senior officials of the state Tribal Welfare Department, also participated in the visit.
The visit focused on assessing the implementation of MoTA's flagship schemes on the ground and understanding the experiences of tribal beneficiaries.
At the Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) Morod, she witnessed the use of digital smart classrooms for regular teaching and interacted with students from Classes 6 to 12 about their education and aspirations.
The school provides residential education to Scheduled Tribe (ST) children, particularly those belonging to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), under the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) and Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA-JGUA) framework.
The visiting team later travelled to the Bunkar Suvidha Kendra at Maheshwar in Khargone district. The centre has women engaged in weaving Maheshwari Sarees. The women produce around 1,000 to 2,000 sarees daily.
Meanwhile, Chopra was informed that one of the women weavers from the centre had recently participated in a fashion showcase in Delhi. At the centre, she also met students, including a NEET-qualified aspirant, and interacted with holders of titles issued under the Forest Rights Act (FRA).
The Secretary then visited the Adi Sewa Kendra at Keriyakheri in Khargone district. During the visit, Chopra observed the community members registering their requirements for various services, including ration cards and enrolment under government schemes, in a dedicated register maintained at the centre, the release said.
Chopra interacted with the women present at the centre, who expressed satisfaction with the availability of such a facility in their neighbourhood.
The visiting team also visited a tribal homestay in Khargone district operated by a local tribal household.
The homestay was presented as an example of community-led rural tourism and livelihood generation. It offers spacious and well-maintained rooms along with a separate in-house kitchen and charges a reasonable rate per night.
The Secretary was informed that homestay owners receive training, handholding support and regular monitoring through a state-hired agency. The support is aimed at maintaining quality and consistency as more tribal households adopt tourism as a livelihood opportunity.
The Secretary also visited the Centre of Competence for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) in Indore, established as part of MoTA's efforts towards eliminating sickle cell disease among the tribal population.
During the visit, she reviewed the facilities available at the centre for screening, counselling and treatment support. The day-long field visit concluded with a progress review meeting chaired by Chopra at the office of the Divisional Commissioner, Indore. The meeting reviewed the implementation status of MoTA schemes across Madhya Pradesh, with particular focus on Indore division.