JAMMU: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmad Rana today asked officers of the Tribal Affairs Department to assess in detail the implementation of tribal welfare measures/schemes and their output and come up with a concrete plan of action for enhancing basis amenities in tribal areas of J&K.
Javed Rana was chairing a meeting of officers attended by the Director of Tribal Affairs, Ghulam Rasool, the Deputy Director of Tribal Affairs and other senior officers of the department.
Minister maintained that the government has taken a slew of measures for the progress and welfare of the tribal population and directed the officers to ensure the optimum use of resources in the implementation of the development projects so that their benefits reach the intended populace.
He directed the officers to review the systemic issues which are hampering the implementation of the welfare schemes and work out solutions for the same.
Stressing that the officers should review periodically the status of various schemes so that the benefits are not denied to the Gujjar and Bakerwal students, he added.
The minister also sought details about the progress of repair/renovation of hostels and details about the infrastructure.
Regarding the filling of various posts in the department, the minister directed to fill up the vacant posts in a time-bound manner.
Javed Rana said that the population of tribals has increased since the last census and there is a need to put in additional resources towards their welfare.
He reiterated that the main focus of the government is to provide enhanced basic amenities to tribals with an emphasis on education, health, skill development, horticulture, agriculture, tourism etc.
Minister also asked the Director to check the feasibility of shifting Boys PG Hostel Srinagar to the new TRI building at Khimber, Srinagar.
He also advised the Director to have a detailed review of G&B Hostels, examine and put up proposals on above issues including the creation of posts in left over G&B Hostels so that the same can be taken up with Government for streamlining of Directorate and G&B Hostels in J&K.
Earlier, Director of Tribal Affairs gave a detailed presentation regarding the functioning of the Directorate which included various issues/schemes being administered.
He also gave a brief on the construction of new hostels & repair/renovation works of existing hostels; manpower status and pre-matric & post-matric scholarships being disbursed to ST students.
He also highlighted the issues confronting the department which require immediate interventions and comprehensive review of the same for improving the overall functioning of the Directorate.
