In a welcome decision for insurgency-riddled tribal stronghold Bastar region, the Central Government has approved a proposal of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh for setting up ‘National Tribal University’.
The announcement for the decision was made in New Delhi at the meeting between Singh and Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani. The two leaders also agreed to commence the functioning of the university from the next educational session.
The announcement for the National Tribal University in Bastar, which is mired into illiteracy and poverty for generations, has been welcomed by educationists and intellectuals of Chhattisgarh mainly of tribal-dominated Bastar region, which is made up of seven districts.
Delighted by the decision, the Chief Minister said in a statement that the National Tribal University will hugely benefit the tribal people of Bastar as it will not only impart education but also help in preservation of tribal culture, tradition, education and natural resources.
He stated that the university will also make ‘research and study’ about Bastar’s bio-diversity.
The Chief Minister strongly pitched at the meet for ‘school of planning and architecture’ in Naya Raipur. He informed the Union Minister that Chhattisgarh has ‘Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya’ under Sarv Siksha Abhiyaan in 94 development blocks and sanctioning should be made for the remaining 54 blocks too.
The Union Minister assured the Chief Minister that the Ministry will sanction opening of ‘Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya’ in 31 tribal development blocks in the first phase and the remaining will be completed in the second phase.
On Chhattisgarh’s request for providing monetary help for infrastructure development in three newly opened universities in Bastar, Sarguja and Bilaspur, the centre agreed to provide UGC’s ‘one time catch up grant’.
A delegation of officials of HRD Ministry will soon be visiting the State for inspection of sites suggested by Chhattisgarh for setting up IIT in the State.