How was your two-day visit to the tribal areas of the state?

It was wonderful. We are here to see what is being done with the money that the central government gives. But it is not only about the funds of the central government. The state government's money is also being utilised for the welfare of the tribal community. We went to one of the particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG) schools in Morada block in Mayurbhanj district and interacted with the students. I asked the students of Class-VII to solve some simple arithmetical problems. A girl did the sum confidently. I was quite impressed.

 Odisha has recently announced its decision to form tribal councils in tribal-dominated districts where representatives of all tribal groups will be given representation to make the decision making process a participatory one. How do you see this?

It is a welcome step. We have micro plans for the tribals as well. Anything done for tribal development is a welcome step

 You had a meeting with the state government officials. What are the major issues that you discussed?

We looked at the funding that is coming to the sector from the central government. We also looked at the general welfare of the tribals. We focus mainly on three things - health, education and overall development of the tribals. In the education sector, the state has a number of schools while the central government also has some schools. What's really surprising is that the results in the tribal schools are much better than the general schools. They had far more number of first divisions in Class-X. The number of students in Class-XII is growing. The state government is taking a number of steps in the health sector. We have also given a number of suggestions on how to deal with issues such as sickle cell disease and mothers' health problems such as anaemia and also how to enforce the minimum age for marriage to prevent child marriage.

 The tribals are becoming victims of sickle cell disease. What specific plan does the central government have to tackle this?

We have asked the state government to look into it and to screen children in particular. The director general at the Indian Council of Medical Research and the secretary at the department of health research Soumya Swaminathan is planning a major meeting on sickle cell at the National Institute for Research in Tribal Health, Jabalpur. Let us see what next step we can take on this issue. Screening of children is the first step that I have requested the state government to take at the earliest. We have also asked them to take up advocacy and awareness programmes on sickle cell. Awareness needs to be integrated in the action plan both by the tribal welfare department and the health department.

 It has often been alleged that states are unable to spend the money they get from the Centre...

There may be some minor hiccups. But the issue of non-spending has not come to our notice. We don't release the money if we don't get the utilisation certificate from the state about the funds released earlier.

 A lot of emphasis is being given on skill development. But we have found that no programme is being taken to utilise and hone the skills of tribals...

We will emphasise skill development programmes among the tribals. We will go back and make it tailor-made so that it fits into their culture. Only through skill development programmes can we bring about a spectacular change in their standard of living. We are committed to it and will see to it that there is an overall development of the tribals. Trifed, another organisation of the central government that is looking after tribal handicrafts, will look after how best we can use the medium of skill development so that the children of the tribals become educated and well skilled and earn a livelihood.

 Allotment of land records to tribals has become a major issue in several places, including Odisha. They are agitating because they are not getting their pattas in right time...

This is a major challenge to get the pattas and also get the land demarcated. Thereafter, the tribals can get into the business of developing the land further with the help of the government. We have been emphasising with all the state governments that all the land claims of tribals should be settled. In case of those tribals who have got the rights, our next move should be to ensure that the lands are demarcated and handed over to them. This problem is not particular to Odisha; it is common to all states. We are going to review the whole thing and see how this programme can be carried forward.

 Even the suggestions of the palli sabhas are being ignored because of vested interests...

If there is any specific case, I can comment on that. In principle, the authorities abide by palli sabha decisions.

 Another major issue that has affected the tribals is that they are not getting the right price for their produce...

We are working out the linkages given to the tribals so that they can get the right price for their produce. This is a major issue and we are attending to it. For example, take the case of tamarind and see how it is de-seeded. We want to ensure that tribals get the right price for this.

 The issue of Aadhaar cards is also causing confusion among tribals...

Though Aadhaar cards are not mandatory, they help people get the benefit of different development schemes. Ensuring that they have an Aadhaar card is something that we will try our best to do in the next couple of months.

 There is a move by the ministry to set up tribal museums. What is the progress on this front?

We have a plan to set up museums in all the states in a phase-wise manner. This was the Prime Minister's announcement on August 15 last year. We are working on it. There will be a freedom fighter tribals' museum. As of now, we have shortlisted five states for this. We will bring the latest technology, be historically correct and ensure that these are places where people and come and learn. They will not just be a homage to tribals. In the first phase, we will set up museums in four to states such as Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat and Jharkhand. They have brought out plans and now we will be roping in historians and technical experts.

 What would you have been had you not been in the Indian Administrative Service?

I would have been a journalist. My father was the editor-in-chief of The Tribune, Chandigarh.