Minister for Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) and Tribal Affairs, Choudhary Zulfkar Ali today convened a review meeting with the officers of Tribal Affairs Department.Managing Director JKPCC Nayeem Ahmad, Director Tribal Affairs Department, Mohammad Rafi, Special Secretary Tribal Affairs, Mohammad Shareef, Secretary Gujjar Advisory Board Mukhtar Ahmad Choudhary besides senior officers of Planning, Finance and concerned departments were present in the meeting.The meeting discussed various issues including detail of funds received/utilized under SCA to TSP, Article 275 (I), status of work on cluster model villages, establishment of milk villages and construction of shelter sheds, starting up of academic activities in Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) Anantnag and Kulgam, establishment of Tribal Research Institutes and Tribal Bhawan besides others.The meeting also had detailed deliberations on funds under Article 275(1) for various ongoing projects which includes tribal hostels, water supply schemes, skill development programmes besides other development projects to be executed in the current financial fiscal for welfare and development of tribals.Zulfkar said the government is working tirelessly to provide better basic amenities to tribal people adding that several reformative measures have been initiated in this regard for effective implementation of welfare schemes launched for the community.
Appreciating the efforts of the department towards welfare of tribal community, the Minister stressed upon the officers for implementation of policies on ground level and work in a fair, transparent and accountable manner.The Minister asked concerned officers to establish new ERMS in the state besides directing the officers to identify suitable land for the establishment of ERMS at Rajouri as per the commitment of Chief Minister.The Minister was informed that the Tribal Department has released Rs 50 lakh in favour of various Universities of the state for Research and Documentation Programmes for Tribals. While reviewing the status of establishment of Tribal Research Institute, it was informed that Director Tribal affairs shall hold the charge of Director of the Institute and expedite the modalities to start the TRI within a month time.He asked MD JKPCC to prepare DPR for establishment of Tribal Bhawan at Jagti which includes Administrative Complex, Hostel blocks, theatre and Museum.Later, the Minister reviewed the status of mega projects under execution by JK Housing Board. He asked the officers of the concerned executing agency to complete ongoing construction works within stipulated time frame.The meeting also discussed Post and Pre-Matric Scholarships for the students of tribal community including Gaddis and Sippis.