As the Maharashtra Government readied to welcome global CEOs and woo investments of lakhs of crores at the Magnetic Maharashtra Convergence 2018, a group of young officers was preparing a plan to use this mega platform to improve the lives of tribals in the state.
The group of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers of 2015 and 2014 batches was busy making final arrangements in the Tribal Development department’s desk at the exhibition and arguing over how best to draft agreements with companies.
Posted in different districts of the state, these officers came together to use the platform to improve the lives of tribals, the most vulnerable section of our society.
“It is an exciting opportunity for us to serve the nation through this mega event at the beginning of our career. It gave us a chance to identify opportunities and design partnerships for tribals to engage with the corporate sector,” said Aman Mittal, Assistant Collector in Nashik district.
Manisha Verma, Principal Secretary, Tribal Development Department said, “The Department is participating in the event to attract investment for business opportunities presented by over one crore people belonging to Scheduled Tribes in the state and to support in our efforts to enhance the social and economic wellbeing of tribal communities”.
Vishnu Savara, Minister for Tribal Development, said, “Participation of the Tribal department in this global event showcases the inclusive agenda of our government where each all people should benefit from the fruits of development”.
“After studying strengths and aspirations of tribals, we have identified four themes for partnership with the corporate world investments, market linkages, jobs and corporate social responsibility,” said Vinay Gowda GC, Assistant Collector in Nandurbar.
Through “Magnetic Maharashtra”, the department is seeking private sector investments in developing products like indigenous varieties of rice and preventing wastages by installing solar-powered cold storages for perishables such as wild floriculture.
Asked about the implementation of the programme, Ayush Prasad, Assistant Collector in Pune district and also the Joint Director of Tribal Research Training Institute (TRTI) said, “TRTI is in the process of setting up policy and management unit and a data centre for real-time monitoring of the implementation of government schemes and programmes”.
“These partnerships with the corporate sector would help realise the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi of transforming backward districts rapidly,” Savara said.
“Business houses that choose to work with us will have the opportunity of gaining by investing in sectors that have high potentials of growth. They could also do social good by helping in our efforts of doubling incomes to alleviate poverty and creating more avenues of prosperity for our tribal people,” he added.
