PNS|Vijayawada
Union Minister for Education and Skill Development, Dharmendra Pradhan, presided over the momentous ceremony marking the laying of the foundation stone for the Central Tribal University.
This prestigious institution is set to be constructed in the sprawling expanse of 561.88 acres, with an estimated cost of Rs 834 crore. The location chosen for this landmark endeavour is Mentada, encompassing the Dattirajeru and Saluru Constituency in the Vizianagaram district.
Chief Minister, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, was also present.
This significant achievement has been driven by a commitment to establish a Tribal University within the heart of tribal regions. The acquisition of land in Marrivalasa of Dattirajeru mandal and Chinamedapalli of Mentada mandal, coupled with the allocation of government land, saw the Jagan Mohan Reddy government disbursing compensation of Rs 29.97 crore to farmers who contributed their lands to this academic institution.
Additionally, an expenditure of Rs 28.49 crores was invested in developing essential infrastructure facilities. Within a span of just 50 months in office, the YSRCP government has allocated a staggering Rs 16,805.77 crore to Tribal Welfare, directed through both DBT and non-DBT channels, via a multitude of government welfare schemes.
Officials highlight that the Jagan government had taken a noteworthy initiative in honouring its commitment to establish a Central Tribal University, a promise previously overlooked by the preceding administration.
The chosen site for the university, near the Visakhapatnam-Rayagada National Highway, ensures accessibility from Vizianagaram, Gajapati Nagaram, and Bobbili Railway Stations along the Visakhapatnam-Howrah Railway Line. Moreover, its proximity to the Bhogapuram International Airport is expected to facilitate logistical needs. The government has diligently ensured the provision of land, power supply, water access, and road connectivity to support the university’s development.
The forthcoming Central University is poised to offer a comprehensive array of 14 academic courses encompassing English, Sociology, Tribal Studies, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Journalism, MBA, MSW at the Postgraduate level, and Artificial Intelligence, Botany, Chemistry, Geology, Tourism and Travel Management, and B.Com in Vocational studies at the undergraduate level. Additionally, short-term courses focusing on skill development, vocational training, and job-oriented education will be made available. The university’s mission is to foster the personal, cultural, and environmental development of tribal communities.
Since 2019, the Jagan government has been actively conducting classes in the transit campus, utilising the Andhra University old PG campus buildings located in Kondakarakam, Vizianagaram district, where currently, 385 students are currently enrolled.
The revolutionary measures taken by the Jagan Government for Tribal Welfare within a span of 50 months include allocating 2 acres of land to eligible ST families, providing 1.54 lakh Tribals with 3.23 lakh acres of ROFR lands, offering free electricity up to 200 units per month to 4.58 lakh ST families, an initiative that has been in effect since July 2019, the establishment of two new districts, Alluri Sitaramaraju and Parvathipuram Manyam, each comprising 37 mandals, investment in medical colleges, with an expenditure of Rs 1,000 crore in Paderu and Parvathipuram, to deliver quality medical services with 300 medical seats, the inauguration of super-speciality hospitals in each ITDA area, addressing critical healthcare needs, construction of five multi-speciality Tribal Hospitals at a cost of Rs 246.30 crore in key locations, the construction of a 200-bed super-speciality hospital, kidney research centre, dialysis units at Palasa to address Uddanam kidney issues at a cost of Rs 50 crore, and the establishment of 24/7 medical facilities in Tribal areas to enhance healthcare access.
