The Tribal Research Institute (Department of Tribal Affairs J&K), today organised a day-long awareness camp cum workshop on scholarship schemes/ NSP for scheduled Tribe students at Sheikh-ul-Alam Hall at Budgam.
The programme was attended by DDC Chairman, Nazir Ahmad Khan; Deputy Commissioner Budgam, S F Hamid; DDC Members, ADDC, Dr Akramullah Tak; Nodal Officer, Coordinator Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmad Parray; CEO, INOs and other concerned.
Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner said that various initiatives have been taken by the UT Government under the able guidance of Lieutenant Governor for the upliftment and progress of ST community and other weaker sections of society.
He said not only schemes were launched but also focus is being given on the awareness part to ensure the benefits of these schemes reach the end beneficiary in every district.The DC appreciated that the inbuilt Tribal component in all schemes including District Plans has changed the socio-economic status of the people belonging to Tribal community.
He said the holistic approach taken for Tribals has boosted the community, and students from this community have excelled in every field, be it sports, education, self-employment, health or engineering.He said for the first time, the Nomadic population was facilitated and transport was provided to them in all districts for their seasonal migration along with their livestock to Jammu.
While deliberating on the event, the Coordinator, Javed Ahmad Parray said that aim is to create awareness about the special schemes and welfare initiatives launched for STs.In order to ensure smooth and hassle-free services to the STs, the Tribal Welfare Officers shall be deployed and Tribal Welfare offices shall be opened and will function as independent offices like social welfare in each district by the next year.
The coordinator informed that two cluster model villages shall be established in every district to focus on the developmental activities of the tribal areas.He said under Jan Abhiyaan, 180 villages have received special funding, 120 percent enhancement of post matric scholarship schemes, 30 hostels have been established, 80 more are coming up, and initiatives taken for the STs in the UT.
The Coordinator said similarly Budgam will also get separate boys and girls hostels, schools including one with a boarding facility for the ST students soon.He said for promotion of self-employment 300 skilled courses, 200 Wandhan Kendra’s, craft and milk villages are established.
Similarly, robotic, coding and modelling programmes, fellowships programs in civil aviation, engineering, medical and other fields were also started for STs.He also said that the Department is also intending to start more 25 Hostels by end of the current financial year out of which 02 separate PG Girls Hostels have been made functional in both Jammu and Srinagar cities.
The Department of Tribal Research Institute had started awareness cum training programs across the UT under close supervision of Dr. Shahid Iqbal Chowdhury, Secretary Tribal Affairs Department/Director Tribal Research Institute JK.
The coordinator informed that all Centrally Sponsored Scholarship Schemes had been mapped on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) through which ST students can easily apply.The technical team of Tribal Research Institute Liyaqat Ali and Javeed Ahmad Baba briefed the INO's about eligibility criteria and guidelines of these Schemes and on-spot training to the participants for National Scholarship Portal.
Convener Reyaz Ahmad Shah gave a brief introduction of other schemes of the Department.CEO Budgam Mushtaq Ahmad Qadri also spoke on the occasion and briefed about the overall educational scenario of the district.
On the occasion ,various zonal education officers and media persons were also felicitated for their work with regard to tribal upliftment.