Minister for CA&PD and Tribal Affairs Ch Zulfkar Ali today called on Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh and Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju at New Delhi, here.During the meeting, Ch Zulfkar Ali strongly projected the demand to consider special funds for the Tribal areas of the Jammu and Kashmir so that basic amenities like water, roads, bathrooms, community halls and solar lights are provided to the people.The Minister said that the people living in Tribal areas have remained neglected due to one or the other reason and people are pinning high hopes on the Central and State governments. Minister said these areas suffered a lot due to border tension, militancy and lack of basic infrastructure and need special attention to uplift their living standards.
Ch Zulfkar added that Tribal community is still educationally and economically backward, mainly due to the reason of unemployment and urged for a special recruitment drive by Central Security Forces including Indian Army.Ch Zulfkar also urged establishment of a Gujjar Regiment with the Minister. He said that the regiment be created in Army by recruiting un-employed Tribal Youth. The Gujjar youth mostly residing in hilly and border areas are suitable for recruitment in Army keeping in view their nationalistic character and courage.
Minister also urged the Union Home Minister to provide funds under Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Plan (PMRP) for construction and upgradation of the road network in the hilly and remote areas of the State.Minister also discussed sanctioning of IIT/IIM for Rajouri. He said Rajouri district is connected with Kashmir valley as such is ideally situated for such an institute that will benefit not only the Tribal population but also students of the entire Pir Panjal and Kashmir valley. He also called for inclusion of Gojri Language in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution of India.