The Government of India has announced a major hike in the fund allocation to Jammu and Kashmir under the Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP).The almost five-fold increase in allocation under TSP to J&K has been made by the Government of India on the intervention of the Chief Minister, Ms Mehbooba Mufti, who also holds the charge of Tribal Affairs Department. The State would now get an allocation of Rs 100 crore under TSP, which is the highest ever J&K has got.Pertinently, the Union Secretary in the Tribal Affairs Ministry, Dr Sham Aggarwal called on the Chief Minister, Ms Mehbooba Mufti here this evening and assured that the Government of India would favourably look into the State Government’s demand for more funds under TSP.The Union Secretary informed the Chief Minister that henceforth J&K shall be able to excess allocation on the basis of the large geographical area and would get five-fold increase in funds. As per the GoI guidelines, 50 percent allocation under TSP has to be spent on improvement of educational facilities in the State. The State Government has, accordingly, decided that in every Gram Panchayat at least one Secondary School will be taken up for phase-wise upgradation from additional grants under Article 275(1) and TSP with matching grant from J&K government.
The scheme will include creation of additional rooms in schools, library and computer room.The GoI has also proposed a new innovative scheme called Talent Examination from Class 3rd onwards to certify meritorious students and award them distinction certificate to nurture talent especially in Science and Mathematics. Such meritorious students would be reimbursed fee both in government and the private educational institutions under the scheme.The Chief Minister urged the Central Government to sanction two new Eklavya Model Residential Schools for uncovered districts of the State with a cost of Rs 12 crore each which was agreed by Government of India.The TSP funding also envisages augmenting healthcare facilities and expanding the scope and ambit of the skill development programmes.The Government of India has also agreed to fund 10 Chilling Plants across J&K to encourage milk production and usher prosperity among tribal community.The Government of India has also agreed to provide funding for upgradation of Gujjar and Bakerwal hostels by adding additional postgraduate wings and for adding library, computer room etc and doubling the present number of seats for which an amount of Rs 15 crore has been earmarked.Chief Minister while hailing the five-fold increase in the allocation by GoI under TSP directed the Tribal Affairs Department to get DPRs prepared from School Education Department, Health Department, Higher Education Department, Technical Education Department and R&B Department without any delay to that the funds could be utilised effectively.