Tribal University to be set up in MP: President

New Delhi: The university will promote studies and research in art, culture, traditions, languages, customs and medicinal systems of the tribal communities, Patil said addressing the Joint Sitting of Parliament on the opening of the Budget Session.

 

She said the university will also promote educational opportunities for tribal students.

 

"My Government has placed great emphasis on the empowerment of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes through increased access to education," Patil said.

 

The president said close to Rs 900 crore has been provided for scholarships for about 30 lakh children belonging to the Scheduled Castes and an amount of over Rs 225 crore has been provided for more than ten lakh tribal children.

 

Patil also said the Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship and schemes for special coaching for SC/ST students were being actively implemented.

 

She made a special mention of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act that was recently enacted, calling it a landmark legislation that was aimed at correcting the historical deprivations of the tribal and traditional forest dwellers and restoring to them their rights on land.

 

"State Governments have been requested to implement the provisions of this Act expeditiously," Patil said.

 

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