Ministry of Tribal Affairs Secretary Smt Ranjana Chopra, accompanied by Additional Secretary Sh Manish Thakur, conducted an extensive field visit and progress review across Indore division in Madhya Pradesh to assess on-ground implementation of tribal welfare schemes. The visit included interactions with tribal beneficiaries at multiple facilities and concluded with a progress review meeting with state officials and district collectors.
The delegation visited Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) Morod (PVTG) in Indore, which provides quality residential education to Scheduled Tribe children from Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups under the PM-JANMAN and DA-JGUA programs. The team witnessed digital smart classrooms in use and interacted with students from classes 6th to 12th who expressed aspirations to become engineers, entrepreneurs, and professionals.
At the Bunkar Suvidha Kendra in Maheshwar, Khargone district, the Secretary observed ST women weavers producing 1,000–2,000 Maheshwari sarees daily through a Sahayata Samuh registered under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission. The sarees reach markets through forward linkages facilitated by TRIFED, Self Help Groups, and Zilla Panchayats. The Secretary also met ST students including a NEET-qualified aspirant and interacted with Forest Rights Act patta holders.
The team visited the Adi Sewa Kendra in Keriyakheri, Khargone district, a single-window facilitation center for tribal empowerment where community members register requirements ranging from ration cards to scheme enrollments. The center had recently hosted the nationwide Jan Sunwai (public hearing) for grievance redressal. A tribal homestay in Khargone district was also visited, showcasing community-led rural tourism with reasonably priced, well-maintained rooms and good occupancy rates, particularly on weekends. Homestay owners receive training and ongoing monitoring through a state-hired agency.
The Secretary reviewed the Center of Competence for Sickle Cell Disease in Indore, established under MoTA's efforts toward sickle cell disease elimination among tribal populations, examining screening, counseling, and treatment support facilities.
The field visit concluded with a progress review meeting chaired by the Secretary at the office of the Divisional Commissioner, Indore, attended by concerned line departments, state tribal welfare officials, and district collectors via video conferencing. The Secretary directed collectors to ensure expedited saturation of all MoTA schemes through time-bound convergence action to ensure benefits reach every eligible tribal household and habitation.