The Secretary of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA), Ranjana Chopra, undertook a review of tribal welfare schemes in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, on August 20, 2026. The purpose of her visit was to assess the last-mile delivery of various government programmes aimed at supporting tribal communities. During this time, she engaged directly with beneficiaries to understand the effectiveness of these initiatives.

Chopra was accompanied by Additional Secretary Manish Thakur and Principal Secretary of Tribal Welfare, Gulshan Bamra, along with senior officials from the state’s Tribal Welfare Department. This collaborative effort sought to grasp the ground realities associated with the implementation of key MoTA schemes that are crucial for tribal development.

The visit commenced at the Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) Morod, where Chopra examined the integration of digital smart classrooms in the learning environment. Interacting with students from Classes 6 to 12, she gained insights into their educational experiences and aspirations. The EMRS primarily serves Scheduled Tribe (ST) children, focusing on those from Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) under the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) and Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA-JGUA) frameworks.

Visit to Bunkar Suvidha Kendra

Following her visit to the school, Chopra travelled to the Bunkar Suvidha Kendra located in Maheshwar, Khargone district. This centre supports women weavers engaged in the production of Maheshwari sarees, with daily outputs ranging between 1,000 to 2,000 sarees. The MoTA Secretary was informed about a local female weaver who had recently showcased her work at a fashion event in Delhi, demonstrating the potential for local artisans to gain recognition.

At the centre, Chopra also interacted with students, including an individual who had qualified for the NEET exam. Additionally, she engaged with holders of titles under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), further highlighting the diversity of the community’s activities and aspirations. The discussions aimed to gather feedback on the government’s efforts to support local craftsmanship and education.

The Secretary’s next stop was the Adi Sewa Kendra in Keriyakheri, also in Khargone district. There, she observed community members registering their service requirements. Essential services such as ration cards and enrolment for government schemes were being documented in a dedicated register, a process which seemed to meet the needs of the attending women effectively. They expressed appreciation for the accessibility of these services in their area.

Promotion of Community-Led Tourism

During her visit, Chopra also evaluated a tribal homestay in Khargone district, which is managed by a local tribal household. This homestay serves as a model for community-led tourism aimed at livelihood generation. It provides well-maintained accommodations and features a kitchen to cater to guests.” The owners receive training and ongoing support from a state-hired agency, helping to ensure quality and consistency as more tribal households enter the tourism sector.

The Secretary’s visit included a tour of the Centre of Competence for Sickle Cell Disease in Indore. This centre is part of MoTA’s broader initiative focused on eliminating sickle cell disease among tribal populations. Chopra reviewed the screening, counselling, and treatment facilities available, underscoring the importance of healthcare access for these communities.

The day concluded with a review meeting led by Chopra at the Divisional Commissioner’s office in Indore. This meeting provided an opportunity to assess the current status of MoTA schemes throughout Madhya Pradesh, with particular emphasis on the Indore division. The outcomes from the review aimed to refine and improve future programme implementations.

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