Hazaribag: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple projects worth over Rs 80,000 crore in Hazaribag, Jharkhand, aimed at empowering and uplifting tribal communities. The Prime Minister launched the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, inaugurated 40 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS), and laid the foundation for 25 more EMRS. Additionally, he also launched and initiated several projects under the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN).
Addressing the large gathering, PM Modi expressed his gratitude for being a part of Jharkhand’s development journey and highlighted the government’s continued focus on the welfare of tribal communities. He recalled his recent visit to Jamshedpur, where he inaugurated projects worth hundreds of crores, and his distribution of pucca houses to thousands of poor families under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.
Referring to today’s launch of tribal welfare projects, PM Modi underscored the government’s unwavering commitment to uplifting tribal communities, stating, “The projects worth over Rs 80,000 crore are a testament to our priority towards the development of our tribal brothers and sisters.” He congratulated the people of Jharkhand and India for the significant initiatives being launched.
On the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary, PM Modi paid homage to Gandhiji’s vision of tribal welfare, describing it as the foundation for India’s progress. He noted that the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan will bring socio-economic development to 63,000 tribal-dominated villages across 550 districts at an estimated cost of Rs 80,000 crore, benefiting over 5 crore tribal people. The Prime Minister added that this ambitious initiative would significantly improve the lives of tribal communities in Jharkhand and beyond.
The Prime Minister was especially pleased to launch the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan from the land of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. He recalled the launch of the PM-Janman Yojana on Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary and announced that India would celebrate the first anniversary of PM-Janman on Janjati Gaurav Diwas, November 15, 2024. He said the PM-Janman Yojana has been instrumental in bringing development to some of the most underdeveloped tribal areas, with projects worth Rs 1,350 crore initiated today. This scheme focuses on building vital infrastructure such as education, healthcare, and roads in backward tribal regions.
Highlighting the achievements of PM-Janman Yojana in its first year, PM Modi mentioned the successful completion of water supply projects in over 950 backward villages and the approval of 35 Vandhan Vikas Kendras in Jharkhand. He also noted ongoing efforts to improve mobile connectivity in remote tribal areas, which would ensure equal opportunities for progress among tribal communities.
Focusing on the importance of education for tribal youth, the Prime Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to building Eklavya residential schools in tribal regions. With the inauguration of 40 schools and the foundation laying for 25 more today, PM Modi highlighted that these schools would be equipped with modern facilities to ensure high-quality education. The government has nearly doubled the budget for each school to support this initiative.
“The tribal society will progress when its youth receive quality education and opportunities,” the Prime Minister said, expressing confidence that the tribal youth of Jharkhand and India would contribute significantly to the nation’s growth.