JAMMU: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmad Rana, today chaired a meeting at the Civil Secretariat here to review the functioning of tribal hostels in Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by Secretary Tribal Affairs, Prasanna Ramaswamy G, Director, Tribal Affairs, Ghulam Rasool and other officers.
The Minister had a detailed assessment of the functioning of the hostels with emphasis on the staff strength, improving sanitation, dining facilities, digital classrooms, libraries and recreational spaces to foster academic and personal growth for hostel inmates.
The Minister said that the government has launched various schemes for the upliftment of tribals that envision saturation of critical gaps in social infrastructure, health, education and livelihood of tribal areas. He emphasised the need for coordinated efforts in the effective implementation of schemes so that the benefits percolate to the last man.
The Minister asked the concerned officers to take up the matter of ongoing construction works in districts with the respective Deputy Commissioners so that all the projects are completed within the stipulated time frame.
Javed Rana also reviewed the expansion of the Dharti Aaba Mission to all tribal villages, focusing on education, healthcare and livelihood opportunities. He took a first-hand appraisal of the implementation of the scheme being executed for the welfare of tribal people. He also discussed various aspects related to the scheme and other modalities for its successful execution to achieve the target.
Secretary of Tribal Affairs gave a brief about the functioning of tribal hostels across Jammu and Kashmir. He also highlighted various ongoing works being executed under UT Capex Budget 2024-25.
He informed that under UT Capex Budget, a number of works for up-gradation of G&B Hostels, construction of 100 bedded new Hostels, adequate electricity, water supply and connectivity to tribal villages, transit accommodation for migratory nomadic population, empowerment of unemployed, skill development, establishment of Animal/sheep/goat units, establishment of smart classrooms/e-class rooms, creation of electric sub-station, installation of hand pumps, bore well have been taken up.
The Secretary said that during the current financial year 2024-25, the annual plan has been approved for a total outlay of Rs. 78.00 crore across the entire UT, against which 80% of funds stand already released for different works which are under execution. He said that this shall significantly improve the infrastructure and standard of living of the tribals residing in remote/far flung areas.
During the meeting, the need for human resources for the smooth running of tribal hostels and the offices at the district level was also discussed in detail.
