Setting up of national-level Tribal Research Institute proposed: Oram

The Centre has proposed to set up a national-level Tribal Research Institute (TRI) along with a National Tribal Museum in the national capital, Union Minister Jual Oram said here today.

It will be responsible for coordinating the activities of such institites in the state TRIs along with taking up national-level studies.

The National Tribal Museum, which will be a part of the national-level Tribal Research Institute (TRI) set up, will showcase the rich tribal culture and heritage using state-of-the-art technologies.

The proposal to setup the museum and the TRI has already been sent to the Niti Aayog, the Union Tribal Affairs Minister said.

He said that according to the announcement made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day speech in 2016, the Tribal Affairs Ministry is in the process of setting up memorials of six tribal freedom fighters.

Of the six memorials, two would be of national importance -- one at Narmada (Gujarat) and the other at the Birsa Munda Central Jail in Ranchi.

Listing the achievements of his ministry in the last four years, Oram said allocations under the Scheduled Tribe Component (STC) has seen an increase of 94 per cent in the last four years, from Rs 19,437 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 37,803 crore in 2018-19.

The increase is due to allocations under STC to eight more ministries and departments, he said.

The minister also talked about the amendments in the Allocation of Business Rules in 2017, whereby, the ministry was given the mandate of monitoring STC funds of ministries.

An online system has been put in place for monitoring expenditure vis--vis allocations, performance and outcome, Oram said, adding his ministry has spent Rs 18415.18 crore for development of tribals in the last four years.

The ministry has developed a forest rights portal which gives complete information about the Forest Right Act (FRA) and rules, and facilitates filing of claims under the law, he said.

Implementation of FRA is being closely monitored by the