PM asks ministries, NITI Aayog to frame strategies for tribal areas

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked various ministries to work in coordination to develop strategies for stopping the spread of Left wing extremism and instructed the newly-established NITI Aayog to plan for overall development of tribal areas.

Chairing a meeting on tribal welfare here, Modi described the tribal communities as a great force for national development.

He called for development of strategies to stop the spread of Left wing extremism and said a key role in this has to be played by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

"The Prime Minister said various ministries and wings of the Government of India should work in coordination to achieve this goal," a PMO statement said.

He asked the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to identify growth centres within tribal areas, and ensure proper development of education, health and sports facilities in the country.

One of the key objectives should be to work towards "technology penetration" ? for instance, electricity and mobile phone reach ? in the tribal areas, Modi said.

Another important objective should be to link relatively undeveloped tribal areas with developed areas through good infrastructure, he added.

He instructed the NITI Aayog to involve relevant research institutions, and eminent experts in all aspects of planning for tribal areas. .