Over 600 villages across 16 districts of Nagaland would benefit from the Dharti Abba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) scheme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 2.
This was stated by Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Jual Oram during the inauguration of the newly-constructed Indisen Community Hall at Indisen local ground on Tuesday.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Oram highlighted the central government’s efforts toward development of tribal communities and the initiatives aimed at enhancing infrastructure, education, and healthcare services in tribal regions across India.
He claimed that the DAJGUA was launched on October 2 under the leadership of Modi to uplift tribal communities and ensure their socio-economic development, which included provisions for housing, employment opportunities, and educational scholarships for tribal youth.
He said the scheme would cover 63,000 tribal-majority villages across 549 districts in the country, and 2,740 blocks across 30 states and Union Territories. He disclosed that the total outlay of the scheme was Rs 79,156 crore, with central share of Rs 56,333 crore and state’s share Rs 22,823 crore, adding the scheme’s objective was to improve the socio-economic condition of tribal communities.
He mentioned that 25 interventions across sectors would be implemented, with 17 union ministries being made responsible for their respective schemes, which would be overseen by the Tribal Affairs Ministry.
Oram mentioned that the construction of Indisen Community Hall was funded by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, and acknowledged the contribution of the local populace for their added contribution in making the hall bigger and better.
On the proposal for building an amphitheatre by Labour & Employment, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, and Excise adviser Moatoshi Longkumer, he said he would look into it and assured of extending full support to the state government.
Speaking on the occasion, Longkumer said the inauguration of the community hall marked a momentous occasion for the people of Indisen village, hoping that the space would serve as a nerve centre of the village.
He remarked that the hall was not just a structure of bricks and mortar, but a symbol of hope, unity, and progress, noting that the hall would have remained a dream without the funding and commitment of the Tribal Affairs Ministry to uplift the people of tribal region.
He mentioned that the hall would benefit the villagers in countless ways, with the space serving as a place for meetings and community gatherings, thereby strengthening the bond as a community. He hoped the hall would serve as a place where all voices were heard and decisions made to ensure that no one in the community was left behind.
Submitting a proposal to Oram, he hoped that fund would be approved within this financial year. Delivering a short message, Tribal Affairs and Elections adviser H Tovihoto Ayemi expressed his delight at the inauguration of the community hall, describing it as a classic example of the power of unity when a community came together as one.
As the fund provided by the union ministry was insufficient, he lauded the contribution of the community, whilst also thanking Oram for sanctioning fund and the inauguration.
He claimed that PDA government under chief minister Neiphiu Rio was committed to all-round development of the state, adding that the Centre was always ready to listen to the requirement of the state without leaving any section of the community behind.
The programme was chaired by Temsuinla Longkumer, invocation offered by Indisen Baptist Arogo, Dimapur pastor Rev Sentiyanger, and opening message delivered by Indisen Village Council chairman P Imsutoshi Ao.
Oram holds review meeting
After the inauguration of the Indisen Community Hall, Oram held a review meeting at DC court office. Thereafter, he virtually inaugurated a community hall at Lake View Colony, Dimapur, which was also funded by Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
After the review meeting, he told the media that his visit to Nagaland was part of Modi’s Act East policy. Asked by the media about the deplorable condition of roads in Nagaland, he replied that the state government should make the roads, assuring that the central government would provide funds for the purpose.