Srinagar: Some people are upset by the Jammu and Kashmir administration’s decision to allot land to homeless families as they think only they possess the right over government properties, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Friday.
His comment came amidst criticism of the recent scheme to provide 150 sq yards of land to homeless people in the union territory.
“Some days back, the J&K administration decided that those without land will be eligible for PMAY and provided land. There is a policy in other states that they can be given land, but there was no such policy in J&K. We decided to provide five ‘marlas’ or 150 sq yards of land to them,” he said while addressing the National Tribal Festival at Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) here today.
The land is being provided under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). So far 2,711 poor people have been given land so that they can build houses for themselves, he said.
“But, it has caused pain to some people. Those who have built their houses, and their relatives’ houses on government land, feel only they have the right to the government property and poor people should be stopped from using the government property.
“They should know that such an arrangement has ended. The system of discrimination ended on August 5, 2019, and it is the administration and the PM’s resolve that poor people of the country and J&K, Dalits and Adivasis, should have the first right on government resources. They have to understand this,” the LG said.
The LG reiterated the resolve of the UT administration to fulfill the dreams of the poor, tribals and those who were deprived of their rights for decades.
As per Tribal Affairs department, 40,000 PMAY houses are to be allocated to eligible tribal community families. Government record suggests, out of these, around 8000 are landless. They cannot be deprived merely because some people do not want to see benefits reaching to underprivileged and tribals being empowered, the LG further said.
Political parties in the Kashmir valley have raised concerns over the policy and asked the administration to come clean on the categorisation of the landless people.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehboba Mufti on Wednesday accused the LG’s administration of importing slums and poverty into the erstwhile state under the pretext of providing housing to homeless people, calling it an attempt to change the demography of the union territory.
“The LG made an announcement about giving land to 1.99 lakh landless people in JK. Doubts and concerns have come to the fore as to who these landless people in Jammu and Kashmir are. According to the figures of the central government placed before Parliament, there are only 19,000 homeless families in Jammu and Kashmir,” she told reporters.
Inaugurating the National Tribal Festival, Sinha in his address welcomed the members of tribal community from different states and UTs to Jammu & Kashmir.
“National Tribal Festival celebrates the rich tribal cultural heritage and traditions. It aims to provide an opportunity to tribal artisans, entrepreneurs to promote their unique handicrafts, textiles, artworks and traditional products,” the LG said.
According to an official press release, the LG lauded the contribution of the tribal community in strengthening the spirit of cultural integration, and conservation and protection of natural resources.
“Tribal community has laid the strong foundation for the country to prosper. For centuries, the community acted as a bridge connecting our cultural ethos and conserving our biodiversity. Their determined contribution to the development process is a source of inspiration for all of us,” the LG said.
The LG also shared the efforts and initiatives of the government to empower the tribal youth and women and to give impetus to the socio-economic development of the tribal community.
“We understand the dreams of tribal youth and encourage them every way possible so that they do not fall behind anyone in the age of accelerated change. Efforts are being made to ensure that every benefit is available to them,” he said.
“Today the doors of opportunity are opening up for the tribal community. It is the prime objective of the government to provide equal opportunities to youth and women of tribal communities, to ensure that economic and social justice reaches them and we make them partners in the system,” the LG added.
He urged the people to buy the products made by the tribal community members. “We will also direct the government departments to procure products made by tribal artisans,” he said.
The LG Governor appreciated the artists of the tribal community from different states for showcasing the rich tribal culture and heritage through dance and music performances.
On the occasion, the LG launched various initiatives of the Tribal Affairs department including TRI Wool Web Portal and GIS Portal for Transhumance. He also rolled out Law 20 Coaching Scheme for Law students staying in Tribal Hostels.
The LG inspected the stalls installed by tribal artisans, and entrepreneurs and also handed over the smart tools to the beneficiaries.
Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Secretary, Tribal Affairs department gave a detailed briefing on the initiatives taken by the administration for the welfare of tribal community in J&K UT. He expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs for the support.
The Tribal Affairs department in collaboration with the Jodhpur-based Central Wool Development Board is launching several schemes for the families involved in sheep farming.
Under Law 20 Scheme, law students staying in Tribal Hostels will be provided free of cost coaching for prestigious exams by the renowned coaching institute of the country.
The GIS Portal will help in tracking the migratory tribal population.
Dr Navaljit Kapoor, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Secretaries of various states; senior officers from Union Ministry, UT administration and police; members, artisans, entrepreneurs and students of tribal community were present on the occasion.
