The Minister has also urged the states, except Delhi, Harynana and Punjab (which have no tribal population), to encourage tribal paintings, handlooms, architecture, literature, music, tribal medicines etc.
In a letter to the Chief Ministers of states, Oram noted that TRIs, which were constituted for research and documentation on socio-cultural and liguistic aspects of tribal life have become weak over the years.
"Posts are not being filled up. While funds are released by the Union government of India for the TRIs, their release is delayed due to numerous factors," he said.
"These aspects require urgent attention," he said.
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"The Prime Minister himself had observed that Tribal Research Institutes need to have larger role in policy making pertaining to STs. Policy inputs need to be collected and TRIs need to be developed with top class research centres," the letter said.
Oram has directed the state governments to convert the TRIs into a registered society so that funds can be released directly and approval process of projects can be expedited. He also urged state governments to document the local dialect and tribal languages in the local script.
He also asked states having substantial tribal population to set up TRIs, if they do not have them.
"TRIs should also be on tourist map if they have a robust museum. The museum should also showcase live demonstration such as paintings, handlooms, handicrafts etc," he added.