Guj govt reviews Vanbandhu welfare package

Gandhinagar, Jun 21 (UNI) Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the progress of Vanbandhu package that was announced for the welfare of tribals of the state last year.

The package worth Rs 15,000 crore was launched to improve the living conditions of about 75 lakh tribals of the state.

In a meeting held last evening with ministers and secretaries, Mr Modi stressed on the need to formulate a district-wise strategy, with the objective of forming at least one Model Taluka in each district. He also emphasised the need to take up development of atleast 18 talukas out of the 30 very backward talukas identified by the Kaulagi-Committee.

Issues such as primary education, proactive initiatives for healthcare, long distance learning for the teachers and establishment of broadband connectivity were also discussed.

The Chief Minister said all the tribal Talukas are offered 108-Emergency Medical services in addition to the Jyotigram Scheme.

He said the government was enduring the allround development of the tribals, through development of several institutions such as Industrial Training Institutes, Science Stream Classes, Talent pool of 1000 youth, Eklavya Residential Schools, Agri-Polytechnics, Engineering Colleges and upgradation of Chhatralays.

The meeting also emphasised over the need for balanced and well planned development of the 15 districts falling in the tribal belts.

Mr Modi said a ''dwelling unit schemes'' will also be implemented in the tribal region. The Dang district would attain the status of 'model-district' under the Vanbandhu Package, he added.

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