Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumers Affairs (FCS&CA) & Tribal Affairs, Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali today directed the officers of Tribal Affairs Department to prepare Detail Project Report (DPR) for the construction of additional blocks at Gujjar and Bakerwal (G&B) hostels in Jammu.The additional block of each hostel would have 30 rooms with other requisite facilities to cater the accommodation needs of the students.The Minister was accompanied by Vice Chairman State Advisory Board for Development of Gujjars and Bakerwals Chowdhary Gulzar Ahmed Khatana, Director Tribal Affairs Department, Mohammad Rafi, Secretary Gujjar Advisory Board Mukhtar Ahmad Choudhary, Engineers of JK Hosing Board and PWD(R&B) besides other concerned officers.He took a detailed round of each section of hostel including kitchen, library and computer room and take stock of infrastructure and other related facilities available there.The Minister directed the engineers to construct the boundary wall with concrete foundation of the girls’ hostel besides expedite the process of renovation/repair works of both boys and girls hostel.
Interacting with the students during his visit to Gujjar & Bakarwal Hostels, the Minister enquired about the facilities being provided by the hostel management like accommodation, food, sanitation and education etc.Zulfkar impressed upon them to put in their best efforts in studies and come out as better citizens of tomorrow. He said that efforts are being made for the overall development and welfare of the tribal communities including creating employment avenues to the tribal youth through various skill development initiatives.He said that focus is being laid on overall emancipation of tribal people by putting in place a well-knit network of residential schools and other logistic incentives designed for enhancing literacy rates.The students also demanded computers for the hostel to which the Minister assured that the computers would be made available to the hostel very soon.