3 apex research institutes to be set up for tribal welfare projects

New Delhi, Jun 30 (UNI) The Ministry of Tribal Affairs will set up three apex institutes for undertaking research on ground and to suggest application-oriented projects for tribal development.

According to an official release issued here today, these institutes will be set up in Orissa, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.

They will suggest action plans for the promotion of culture and language of tribal communities, conduct research and evaluation studies.

Briefing Members of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee attached to this Ministry here today, Tribal Affairs Minister P R Kyndiah said his Ministry is actively considering 100 per cent Centre's funding for setting up these institutes.

Highlighting his Ministry's initiatives for tribal welfare, Mr Kyndiah said efforts were being made to re-orient the functioning of the 18 tribal research institutes already working in the various parts of the country.

Now onwards, only those research studies would be allowed at these centres, which would have direct impact on the life of tribals.

The institutes would also be asked to suggest activities for creating economic opportunities, direct or indirect, for the tribals.

Experts would be involved to suggest projects to promote traditional art and craft of tribals.

Participating in the discussion, Rameshwar Oraon, Minister of State for Tribal Affairs stressed the need for strengthening existing tribal research institutes.

He said these institutes should work on field to study tribal issues closely and suggest effective measures for inclusion in Government's programmes and policies.

He added that libraries at these centres to be strengthened to provide rich study material for research in tribal-related issues.

UNI BKS SR RAI2033