The Union ministry of tribal affairs has recognized Tamil Nadu as the best-performing state in the country and Kallakurichi as the best-performing district for the implementation of the Integrated Tribal Development Programme (ITDP). The announcement was made during a tribal development conclave organized by the ministry in New Delhi, where the performance of Integrated Tribal Development Agencies (ITDAs) and various programmes across states was evaluated.
Recognition and Achievements
Tamil Nadu implements its ITDP strategy across nine designated areas spread over seven districts with a significant scheduled tribe population. The state was praised for its excellence in multiple parameters, including administrative efficiency, scheme coordination, data management, protection of tribal rights, livelihood enhancement, institutional capacity, risk management, and project implementation. Additionally, Tamil Nadu was designated as a 'Data-Driven Tribal Mission Unit,' a testament to its data-centric approach to tribal welfare.
Director of tribal welfare S Annadurai stated, "Tamil Nadu has been ranked as the best state and highlighted as a model for others to emulate." The state's high scores across all evaluation criteria underscore its commitment to tribal development.
Kallakurichi District's Award
Kallakurichi district received the 'Best Performing ITDP/ITDA' award, which came with a cash prize of ₹5 lakh at the conclave. This recognition was attributed to a series of successful initiatives, including boosting tapioca production and establishing value-addition units in the Kalvarayan Hills. The district also set up solar-powered millet processing units for tribal women's self-help groups, provided skill development training to tribal youth, and facilitated their employment in leading companies.
A department statement highlighted the notable success achieved by tribal students in higher education and entrance examinations. It also mentioned the formation of horticultural producer groups for tribal farmers and the securing of land rights by issuing 9,547 forest rights titles under the Forest Rights Act.
Educational Progress
In recent years, tribal students from Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) and other institutions have excelled academically, with many cracking competitive examinations and securing admission to premier institutes. An official revealed that 48 tribal students have joined the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM), Noida, this year, compared to 11 last year, indicating a significant increase in educational opportunities for tribal youth.
