NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for various projects worth over Rs. 80,000 crore in Hazaribag, Jharkhand. PM Modi launched Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, inaugurated 40 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) and laid the foundation stone for 25 EMRS, and inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple projects under Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN).

Addressing the gathering, the PM expressed gratitude for becoming a part of Jharkhand’s development journey and recalled visiting Jamshedpur a few days ago to inaugurate development projects worth hundreds of crores.  Modi mentioned handing over pucca houses to thousands of poor from Jharkhand under PM Awas Yojna. Referring to the projects related to the empowerment and welfare of tribal communities worth more than Rs. 80,000 crore, the Prime Minister said that it is proof of the government’s priority towards tribal communities. PM Modi congratulated the people of Jharkhand and India for the projects of today.

Noting the occasion of Mahatma Gandhiji’s birth anniversary, the PM said that his vision and ideas towards tribal welfare are India’s capital. Mahatma Gandhi believed, the Prime Minister said, that India can only progress when the tribal societies progress at a fast pace. PM Modi expressed satisfaction that the present government is paying maximum attention to tribal upliftment and mentioned launching Dharti Aaba Janjati Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan today where 63,000 tribal-dominated villages will be developed in about 550 districts at a cost of about Rs. 80,000 crore. He informed that work would be done to improve the socio-economic life in these tribal-dominated villages and the benefits would reach more than 5 crore tribal brothers and sisters of the country. “The tribal society of Jharkhand will also benefit greatly from this”, he added.

The PM expressed happiness that Dharti Aba Janjati Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan was being started from the land of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. PM also recalled that on the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, PM-Janman Yojana was launched from Jharkhand. He announced that on 15th November 2024, on Janjati Gaurav Diwas, India will celebrate the first anniversary of PM-Janman Yojana. He added that through the PM-Janman Yojana, the fruits of development were reaching those tribal areas of the country which were left behind.  Modi highlighted that under PM-Janman Yojana, the foundation stone of development works worth about 1350 crore rupees was laid today. Speaking about the scheme, he underlined that facilities like education, health and roads will be built for a better life in the most backward tribal areas.

Highlighting the multiple achievements of PM-Janman Yojana in Jharkhand in its first year itself, PM Modi said that the work of providing water to every house in more than 950 very backward villages was completed. He added that 35 Vandhan Vikas Kendras were also approved in the state. The Prime Minister also highlighted the work being done to connect remote tribal areas with mobile connectivity which would help transform the tribal society by providing equal opportunity for progress.

The PM emphasized that the tribal society will progress when tribal youth get education and opportunities. For this,  Modi said, the Government is engaged in a campaign to build Eklavya residential schools in tribal areas. Referring to the inauguration of 40 Eklavya residential schools and laying the foundation of 25 new ones today, the Prime Minister affirmed that Eklavya schools should be equipped with all modern facilities and impart a high standard of education. For this, he added, Government has also almost doubled the budget of every school.

He underlined that positive results are achieved when correct efforts are made. He expressed confidence that the tribal youth would move forward and the country would benefit from their capabilities.