Uplift of tribals necessary: Lapang

Shillong, May 18 (UNI) Meghalaya Chief Minister D D Lapang has expressed concern over the deteriorating health condition of the tribals, official sources said here today.

Speaking at a two-day conference on 'Empowerment of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Minorities through Elementary Education' at New Delhi, Mr Lapang said the STs constitute 80 per cent of the state's total population with SCs comprising 0.5 per cent.

He stressed on the need to improve the educational status of these section, sources said.

Mr Lapang further said, ''Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) in the state has been a historic stride towards the universilisation of elementary education with an integrated approach.'' Asserting that the health and nutritional development plays an important role in achieving social empowerment, Mr Lapang urged the Centre to uplift these deprived section of the state.

UNI