Portfolio

Key Initiatives

Six areas of work, each set out the same way: the context, the objective, the Government programme involved, and — separately — what Durga Das Uikey is documented as doing.

01Tribal languages & museums
02Betul–Amravati rail survey
03Farmers in forest areas
04Heritage forts
05Tribal livelihoods
06Sickle cell awareness

Initiative 01 · Ministry of Tribal Affairs

National Conclave on Tribal Languages and Museums

Context: Many tribal languages are spoken by small communities and are at risk of being lost; tribal museums hold the memory of their history and freedom fighters.
Objective: A national dialogue on documenting, preserving and revitalising tribal languages, with a parallel track on strengthening tribal museums and Tribal Freedom Fighters’ Museums.
Programme: Organised by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs with the Central Institute of Indian Languages, Karnataka’s ST Welfare Department and the Karnataka State Tribal Research Institute, in Mysuru.
Documented role: Inaugurated the conclave on 24 August 2026, and said the Ministry would consider a permanent Tribal Museum in Mysuru.
Period: 24–26 August 2026
Supporting data: Primers in tribal languages for Karnataka released; MoU between the Ministry and CIIL on language documentation; Adi Vaani upgraded with an iOS app and five more languages.

Sources: PIB, PRID 2302927 · Star of Mysore · NE India Broadcast

Initiative 02 · Constituency · Ministry of Railways

Betul–Amravati: the case for a new line

Schematic only — not to scale and not an alignment.

Context: Rail connectivity was a recurring constituency theme of his first term: stoppages at Betul and Multai, an overbridge in Harda, and new lines to Chicholi and Amravati.
Objective: A new railway line linking Betul with Amravati in Maharashtra.
Programme: New-line surveys of the Ministry of Railways.

Documented role: Asked Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2323 on the project’s status, its survey and rail projects for tribal people.
Period: Answered 16 March 2022
Supporting data: The Railways answered that a survey for a 75 km new line had been sanctioned, the field survey completed and the survey report under preparation, with further consideration to depend on the report and financial viability.

Source: Lok Sabha USQ 2323 (PDF) · Case file on Parliamentary Work

Initiative 03 · Constituency · Agriculture

PM-KISAN for farmers in forest areas

In December 2019, in his first year as an MP, he asked that the benefit of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi be extended to farmers living in forest areas of Betul district.

Context: Betul district is heavily forested; he had raised forest protection in his first Special Mention in June 2019.
Objective: Inclusion of forest-area farmers in Betul in PM-KISAN income support.
Programme: Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
Documented role: Raised the matter under Rule 377 and in a Special Mention on 12 December 2019; followed in March 2020 by a Special Mention on crop damage from unseasonal rain and hailstorm in Betul.
Period: December 2019 – March 2020

Source: PRS Legislative Research, MP Track

Initiative 04 · Heritage & tourism

Conserving historic forts

Kherla
Shergarh
Asirgarh
Chicholi

Context: The Betul region and its surroundings contain historic forts that he named in Parliament as sites deserving conservation.
Objective: Conservation and development of the forts, and their recognition as tourist places.

Documented role: A matter under Rule 377 on 3 December 2019 and a Special Mention on 11 December 2019; in February 2024 he asked for Betul’s religious places to be promoted as tourist destinations.
Period: December 2019 · February 2024

Source: PRS Legislative Research, MP Track

Durga Das Uikey, in a yellow kurta and beige shawl, examining a handcrafted leather bag held out by an exhibitor at a stall, with officials looking on — Examining a handcrafted product at an exhibition stall.

Initiative 05 · Ministry of Tribal Affairs · TRIFED

Markets for tribal artisans and forest produce

Context: Tribal artisans and collectors of minor forest produce have historically depended on middlemen for access to markets.
Objective: Direct market access and better prices through festivals, the Tribes India network and Van Dhan Kendras.
Programme: TRIFED’s Aadi Mahotsav and the Van Dhan programme of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
Documented role: Inaugurated the Aadi Mahotsav in Gujarat (October 2024); spoke at Aadi Mahotsav 2025 in New Delhi (February 2025); addressed the Van Dhan Conclave at Bharat Tribes Fest (March 2026).
Supporting data: About 190 tribal artisans took part in the October 2024 Aadi Mahotsav in Gujarat.

“Aadi Mahotsav strengthens the livelihoods of tribal artisans by providing access to national and international markets.”

As quoted by PIB, 16 February 2025

Sources: TRIFED · PIB, PRID 2103858 · All India Radio

Initiative 06 · Health · Ministry of Tribal Affairs

Sickle cell disease: awareness and care

Context: Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that the Government has prioritised in tribal areas.
Programme: National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission (launched 1 July 2023, Shahdol), with Centres of Competence supported under the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan.
Documented role: Addressed the National Conclave on Sickle Cell Disease on 19 June 2024; reported to the Lok Sabha on 13 August 2026 that 15 Centres of Competence had been approved.
Period: June 2024 – August 2026

Sources: PIB, PRID 1936735 · PRID 2026741 · PRID 2298814

Elimination target year: 2047
Centres of Competence approved under DAJGUA: 15
Mission launched: 1 July 2023

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