Jaipur, Nov 15: Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Sunday said the state government has earmarked around Rs 3,200 crore for the development of tribal communities over three years, with a focus on their educational, social and economic empowerment.
Addressing tribal community representatives on Tribal Pride Day, Sharma said the government was working for deprived sections and ensuring development reaches remote and disadvantaged tribal areas.
Sharma said the observance of Tribal Pride Day (birth anniversary of tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda) had become an important part of national consciousness and helped recognise the contributions of tribal leaders and freedom fighters.
He cited the elevation of tribal leader Droupadi Murmu to the country’s highest constitutional office as an example of greater recognition for the community.
Referring to development initiatives, Sharma said 10 ashram hostels, three residential schools, a new sports hostel and 250 Ma-Bari centres had been opened in the state over the past three years.
Under the PM-JANMAN scheme, 15,233 houses, 23 connectivity roads and 15 multipurpose centres are being developed in the Sahariya tribal areas of Baran district, while 51 Van Dhan centres have been established, he said.
The Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan is aimed at improving living standards in 6,235 villages covering around 55 lakh tribal people in Rajasthan, Sharma said.
He also highlighted the distribution of more than 25 lakh hybrid maize seed mini-kits and over 3.5 lakh hybrid vegetable seed mini-kits to tribal farmers, besides initiatives under the PM-KUSUM scheme for solar pumps.
The chief minister said the state was also undertaking initiatives to preserve tribal cultural heritage, including documentation of traditional heritage and construction of memorials dedicated to tribal leaders in Dungarpur and Banswara.
A museum dedicated to Veer Balika Kalibai is also being developed in Udaipur, he said.
Sharma said development of tribal religious and faith centres was being undertaken at several locations, including Sitabari in Baran, Kamalnath Mahadev and Javar Mata temples in Udaipur, Sonar Mata temple in Salumbar and Salakeshwar Mahadev temple in Banswara.
Highlighting achievements in sports, he said tribal players from Rajasthan had won silver at the 2024 Asian Lacrosse Championship in Samarkand, gold medals in men’s and women’s categories at the Riyadh Asian Lacrosse Games this year and bronze at the South-East Asian Lacrosse Championship 2026 in Malaysia.
During the interaction, international lacrosse players thanked the chief minister for establishing a lacrosse academy in Udaipur and providing sports infrastructure and facilities in the state.
Women’s national team captain Sunita Meena and men’s national team vice-captain Mohanlal Gameti said the initiatives had helped players from remote areas access national and international opportunities.
Short films on the state’s development journey and tribal faith centres were also screened during the programme.
Tribal Area Development Minister Babulal Kharadi, MLAs Phool Singh Meena and Mahendrapal Meena, Additional Chief Secretary Kunjilal Meena and representatives of tribal communities attended the event.
