Minister for Consumer Affairs & Public Distribution Department & Tribal Affairs Choudhary Zulfkar Ali called on Union Minister for Human Resource Development (HRD), Smriti Zubin Irani and Union Minister for Food and Consumer Affairs, Ram Vilas Paswan here today and projected various demands.
In his meeting with Smriti Irani, Zulfkar highlighted the necessity of establishing the proposed Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Rajouri. He also demanded setting up of an Institute for Skill Development (ISD) for J&K’s tribals.Zulfkar said Rajouri is the ideal location for establishing an IIT as it is centrally located with good connectivity with Jammu, Srinagar, Poonch, Reasi and Ramban districts. He said setting up of IIT in Rajouri would not only benefit all the surrounding districts, but also the huge population of the tribal youth in the area. He said it has been a pressing demand of the area that the proposed IIT be established there.
Zulfkar also sought Irani’s intervention in sanctioning of 200 more mobile schools to cover the uncovered nomadic population for imparting elementary education to their wards. He said a large chunk of the migratory tribal youth is unable to get elementary education due to lack of mobile schools.
The Minister also demanded sanctioning of universities, colleges and hostel facilities under RUSA for tribals. He said that as per the existing guidelines of RUSA, there is a provision for creation of separate infrastructure for tribals in the higher education sector. He called for establishing colleges alongwith hostel facilities for tribals in J&K under RUSA.Minister further take up the issue of up-gradation of schools under RMSA in tribal areas in relaxation of existing norms and sanctioning of Jawahar Navodaya Vidhalaya in tribal areas. The Union Minister assured that she will look into the demands and try to address the same.
Meanwhile Minister also met Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan and projected various demands.Zulfkar said the Union Food Ministry has approved allocation of balance quantity of 292 metric tons of wheat and 469.44 metric tons of Rice to J&K besides agreed rate for relief @ APL rate instead of MSP. He also took up the issue of extending validity period of lifting of stock and the same was agreed and date was extended to September 30.Demanding 90:10 financial assistance for e-PDS, the Minister sought extension of ration quota as per census 2011 till implementation of National Food Security Act in J&K.Zulfkar also suggested Union Minister to convene a meeting of Food Ministers of all the states in J&K and inclusion of new members in FCI consultative committee.