According to a government order, the Department of Tribal Affairs has issued guidelines describing the role and responsibilities of the members of J&K State Advisory Board for Development of Gujjar and Bakerwals.Pertinently, Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs and Tribal Affairs Department, Choudhary Zulfkar Ali, convened a meeting earlier in which the issue regarding defining of role and responsibility of the members of the Board was deliberated upon in detail.As per the order, the members have to give suggestions to the Tribal Affairs Department on matters pertaining to the welfare and advancement of the Scheduled Tribes (Gujjar and Bakerwals) in the state. They will express their views and suggest measures during the meetings or as and when sought by the Tribal Affairs Department regarding discussion on the proposed legislations, concerning socio-economic development and other affairs of the community.As per the guidelines, the members will suggest measures pertaining to protection and advancement of the community viz. electrification of the hamlets wherein the people of the community are residing, opening of dispensaries in the dominant areas of the community, providing of schools/ Hostels/ Residential schools at the district headquarters, Production and marketing of milk and milk products, steps required to be taken for upliftment of agriculture/ horticulture sectors, protection of fodder and rights to use forest lands for grazing purpose.
The members will also receive, examine and recommend to the Government, applications for grant in aid from voluntary welfare institutions under different central sponsored programmes. It will also coordinate the welfare and developmental activities under taken by various departments. They will conduct frequent visits to the areas where Tribal community is in majority and monitor the implementation of the central/ state sponsored schemes in their respective areas and recommend to the department about shortcoming/ suggestions for any corrective measures required to be taken.The order further states that the members will also participate in the meetings conducted by the District Development Commissioner for the formulation of the plans meant for the development of the Tribal Community areas.