Principal Secretary, Tribal Affairs, Suresh Kumar Gupta, today visited Gujjar and Bakarwal (G&B) and Schedule Tribe (ST) hostels of Samba and Kathua to assess functioning of existing tribal hostels, besides reviewing progress on construction of newly sanctioned tribal hostels in the twin districts.
At G&B/ST hostel Samba, the Principal Secretary interacted with the hostel students and enquired them about the facilities being extended to them there. He gave some valuable tips to the students going to appear in the board examinations extending them best wishes. He also inspected hostel rooms, kitchen, dining hall besides conducting a round of hostel premises.
Deputy Commissioner Samba, Abhishek Sharma, Director Tribal Affairs, Musheer Ahmed Mirza, Director Libraries, Mohammad Rafi, Secretary J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, Bharat Singh Manhas, hostel staff and others were present on the occasion.
The Director Tribal Affairs briefed the Principal Secretary about the welfare and developmental schemes being implemented by the Tribal Affairs Department besides apprising him of working of the hostel, facilities being provided to the students in these tribal hostels.
He also informed about the modernization plan for the hostels. He further informed that the hostel students had rare opportunity to witness Republic Day Parade celebrations January 2024 at New Delhi with the help of Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs, where students met the Prime Minister, Union Tribal Minister and other dignitaries besides visiting heritage sites in and around Delhi.
The Deputy Commissioner Samba briefed the Principal Secretary, about the support being provided by the district administration to the hostel inmates. He informed that Rs. 7.00 lakh have been sanctioned by the district administration for developing playground in the hostel saying that the work on the same shall be completed before the end of current financial year 2024.
Regarding construction of Girls Hostel near AIIMS Samba, it was informed that funds have been released and placed at the disposal of the district administration Samba. The Principal Secretary directed the executing agencies to start the construction work as early as possible so that tribal girls students may utilize the facility to continue their studies.
At Kathua, the Principal Secretary inspected G&B/ST Boys hostel besides reviewing status of sanctioned girls hostel for the district. He directed the executing agency to submit detailed project report immediately for further necessary action as the department has already released funds for construction of the hostel, and the work has not been started yet.
The Director Tribal Affairs further informed the Principal Secretary with regard to status of Banni hostel besides Pre and Post-Matric Scholarships being provided to the tribal students in Kathua district. The Principal Secretary assured that every possible help shall be extended to the hostel students in the field of education and sports so that they can excel in their life for a brighter future.