New Delhi, Sept 12: “Van Dhan can be a game changer for promoting Tribal Livelihoods and enterprises in Assam while Eklavya Vidyalayas will impart uniform and high quality education to tribal children”, Arjun Munda, Minister of Tribal Affairs said at Guwahati today.

Munda was there to meet with Himanta Biswa Sharma, the Chief Minister of Assam, while on a two-day visit to the state. The purpose of this extensive meeting with the Chief Minister was to review and understand the status of the implementation of tribal development programmes (MFP, VDSHGs and TRIFOOD projects) in the state. This meeting was also attended by Ministers, Principal Secretary of Government of Assam, Pravir Krishna, Managing Director, TRIFED, and other TRIFED officials.

During the meeting, the progress made by the State of Assam with respect to the programmes that have been put in place by the government for improving tribal lives  such as the Minimum Support Price for Minor Forest Produce (MSP for MFP), Van Dhan Yojana, ESDP training for tribals were reviewed by Arjun Munda. Earlier in August, the Chief Minister of Assam had met with the TRIFED team in New Delhi to chalk out plans for expanding tribal development in the state and defining the steps for the way forward. These future plans to take tribal development to the next level were also showcased and discussed during this meeting.

On his two day visit, Munda is also accompanied by Pravir Krishna, Managing Director, TRIFED and other senior officials of the Ministry and TRIFED.  Later, the Minister attended the Voice of North East Janjatiya Leader Conference at Lakshmi Bai National Institute of Physical Education at the NE Regional Centre.