Srinagar: Tribal Affairs Department conducted a comprehensive workshop with District Development Councils of Shopian, Reasi, Anantnag and Doda as a part of initiative towards expanding the reach and scope of tribal welfare schemes, convergent planning at district level besides sensitization about the procedural guidelines for availing tribal welfare grants.
Secretary, Tribal Affairs Department, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, held a detailed discussion with members of District Development Councils and Chairperson of Block Development Councils of Anantnag, Doda, Reasi and Shopian about various centrally sponsored schemes, self-employment ventures and infrastructure development in tribal areas.
Director, Tribal Affairs, Musheer Mirza, Secretary, Advisory Board, Director Planning, Additional District Development Commissioners and Assistant Commissioners Panchayat also attended the meeting.
Dr Shahid discussed about Integrated Village Development Scheme (IVDS) being launched for tribal villages with 500 or 50% population which replaces the SCA with TSS and Cluster Model Village. He had a detailed deliberation on status of Village Development Plan (VDPs) formulation under IVDS.
The members were informed that districts have to earmark funds under the District Capex budget as tribal sub-plan is ideally proportional to tribal population which constitutes “Tribal Sub-Plan” and such plans will be augmented by Tribal affairs department with adequate funding.
Further, it was informed that tribal affairs department is launching schemes for self-employment and entrepreneurship with skill development and livelihood for tribal youth for which beneficiary selection process shall be done through an open application system. The elected PRI members have been urged upon to promote the schemes in rural areas for maximum participation of youth.
The meeting also discussed development of transit facilities for migratory population, educational infrastructure in tribal areas besides essential infrastructure related to power supply, water supply, health and road connectivity.
The members were also informed about planning process, components of DPRs, importance of timely submission of UCs and monthly updation of ADIGRAM portal mandatory for release of funds from Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Meanwhile, detailed deliberations were also held on implementation of The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Rights) Act with an aim to provide post-claim support for healthcare, education, connectivity and essential infrastructure. Besides, active involvement of committees at district and sub-divisional level was discussed.
The members were also briefed about various avenues of coordination including scholarships, education, hostels and other initiatives which require concerted efforts at district level.
