SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today held an interactive session at Raj Bhavan here with a 150 member delegation of Gujjar-Bakerwal Community comprising BDC Chairpersons, BDC members, and Sarpanches from different districts.
While expressing their views, the community members projected their issues and grievances and sought Lt Governor’s intervention for the redressal of the same.
Recalling his interaction with the Gujjar- Bakerwal community members in Jammu, the Lt Governor reiterated the significance of education in the progress of every community and advised the community members to promote education among their youth.
Assuring government’s full support in educational upliftment of the community, the Lt Governor said that concrete measures are being taken to shape up the future of the students living in remote and far-flung areas.
A Comprehensive Assessment Programme is being prepared by Education department for the students living in far off reaches who are unable to attend the school due to unfavourable weather & topological conditions for assessing their learning outcome and providing bridge courses to fill the gap, observed the Lt Governor.
To pave a strong foundation for the future generation and to fill the educational gap of seasonal migration, the Lt Governor announced that UT administration would provide Tablet Computers with pre-loaded educational content to the students living in higher altitudes without any discrimination. Besides, Mobile Solar System for lighting and charging purposes will also be provided to such students.
With new guidelines, Best Education, Good meals, Safety, and Recreational facilities would be made in Kasturba Gandhi Vidyalayas. Nine Residential schools will also be set up in different parts of J&K. It will be also ensured that Warden, Assistant Warden and Teacher, and other supporting staff are available in Gujjar and Bakerwal Hostels, the Lt Governor maintained.
While responding to the issues and demands projected by the community leaders with regard to Mobile Schools, the Lt Governor observed that Government has initiated the process to increase remuneration of the teachers working in Mobile Schools to Rs 10,000 per month for better functioning of these schools. All possibilities would be explored for improving the infrastructure of Mobile schools across J&K, he added.
The government is committed towards safeguarding the rights, besides ensuring basic amenities and socio-economic upliftment of every community of the UT without any condition or discrimination, the Lt Governor observed.
Various schemes are being launched in the UT for the welfare and development of tribal Community, besides other initiatives for the development of infrastructure including roads, power, water, healthcare, and educational facilities, in remote and far-flung areas which are hitherto left uncovered, said the Lt Governor.
He also lauded the tribal community for their valuable contribution towards nation-building.
Earlier, the members of the community-led by Rafiq Balot expressed their gratitude towards the Lt Governor-led J&K Administration for working for the welfare and interest of the Gujjar-Bakerwal community, besides implementing Forest Rights Act and Political reservation for the benefit of the tribal community.
