Development of Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe students is a priority for the government: Chief Minister

• The government is committed to the upliftment of students of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
• In tribal areas, a marathon will be organized. The first prize winner will get ₹1 lakh, the second prize ₹75,000, and the third prize ₹50,000.
• Helipads will be constructed in Valmikinagar and Kaimur, which will boost tourism.
• Home stays will be promoted for tourists among tribal communities, so that people can better understand tribal culture.
• Under the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme, about 1 lakh 4 thousand Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe students have been benefited, including 4,155 Scheduled Tribe students.
• Under the Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme, this year 20 lakh 46 thousand students have been benefited, including 1 lakh 41 thousand Scheduled Tribe students.

Patna, May 2026 : Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary inaugurated the dialogue programme under Tribal Pride Festival 2026 at the “Samvad Bhawan” located in the Chief Minister Secretariat, under the theme “Birsa Lives in New India”, by lighting the ceremonial lamp with the beneficiaries of the post-matric scholarship scheme.

On this occasion, while addressing the programme, the Chief Minister said that under the theme “Birsa Lives in New India”, aligned with the vision of a developed India and prosperous Bihar, the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe post-matric scholarship scheme has been launched today. This is historic in itself. This year marks the 150th birth anniversary year of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, which was started last year on 15 November by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Bhagwan Birsa Munda was born on 15 November 1875. He made a great contribution to India’s independence and the upliftment of tribal society. When he was leading movements against the British, he was imprisoned and tortured. He was a leader of the tribal society who struggled for its upliftment.

The Chief Minister said that after the bifurcation of Bihar, the state of Jharkhand was formed, and Bihar’s forest cover remained only 8 to 9 percent. The respected former Chief Minister Shri Nitish Kumar worked to increase forest cover, and it reached 15 percent. Our target is to increase it to 17 percent. Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is working to bring Scheduled Tribe society into the mainstream by remembering Bhagwan Birsa Munda. Work is also being done at the ground level. The Central Government has established Eklavya Schools in Bihar, where education is being provided under CBSE and Bihar Board syllabus, so that Scheduled Tribe children can progress.

He said that under the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme, about 1 lakh 4 thousand Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe students have been benefited, including 4,155 Scheduled Tribe students. Under the Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme, this year 20 lakh 46 thousand students have been benefited, including 1 lakh 41 thousand Scheduled Tribe students.

The Chief Minister said that in his assembly constituency, the population of tribal society is about 20 thousand. The government is working for their development. Model schools are being opened in every block. Degree colleges will be opened from July.

He said that Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of a developed India and Hon’ble Shri Nitish Kumar’s vision of a prosperous Bihar are being fulfilled. Knowledge is necessary for everyone. Only through knowledge can one earn money; it is the right path. Success in life requires knowledge. Under the Tribal Area Development Scheme, development works worth ₹180 crore have been carried out in West Champaran for the Scheduled Tribe community.

The Chief Minister said that marathons will be organized in tribal areas. The first prize will be ₹1 lakh, second ₹75,000, and third ₹50,000. In Adhaura area of Kaimur, where tribal communities live difficult lives, a degree college will also be opened. Helicopter pads will be constructed in Valmikinagar and Kaimur, which will promote tourism. Home stays will be encouraged among tribal communities, which will promote tourism and help people better understand tribal culture. We are working for the upliftment and prosperity of tribal society. We wish a bright future for all students present here.

The programme was addressed by Deputy Chief Minister Shri Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, Deputy Chief Minister Shri Vijay Prasad Yadav, Education Minister Shri Mithilesh Tiwari, and Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Welfare Minister Shri Lakhendra Kumar Roshan.

During the dialogue programme, beneficiaries of the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme shared their experiences and inspirational thoughts with the Chief Minister.

During the programme, the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Welfare Minister Shri Lakhendra Kumar Roshan presented a shawl and bouquet to the Chief Minister, and Secretary of the Department Shri Sandeep Kumar R. Pudukalkatti presented a sapling as a welcome gesture. A short film based on the schemes of the department was also shown.

The programme was attended by Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Shri Deepak Kumar, Chief Secretary Shri Pratyay Amrit, Special Officer to the Chief Minister Dr. Gopal Singh, Secretary of Education Department Shri Vinod Singh Gunjiyal, Secretary of SC/ST Welfare Department Shri Sandeep Kumar R. Pudukalkatti, along with other senior officials and students.