 Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, June 29: State Government will be spending around Rs 120 crore on various programmes aimed at the welfare of the tribal population in J&K.. This would include Rs 100 crore earmarked by the Government of India under Tribal Sub-Plan and Rs 20 crore to be provided by the state government under the capex budget.
This information was given at a high level meeting chaired by the Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti here today to review the implementation of the Tribal Action Plan.
Vice-Chairman Gujjar and Bakerwal Advisory Board, Choudhary Zafar Ali, Chief Secretary B R Sharma, Financial Commissioner, Planning & Development, B B Vyas and Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Navin Kumar Choudhary were present at the meeting.
The meeting was informed that 10 tribal cluster model villages would be developed in the State under the Tribal Action Plan with an investment of around Rs 5 crore in each cluster. The programme is aimed at bridging infrastructure gaps in tribal areas with focus on education and healthcare and creating sustainable employment avenues for tribal population.
The other components of the Action Plan include providing safe drinking water, irrigation, electricity, all weather roads and housing facilities in the selected clusters.
The meeting was informed that out of the proposed allocation of Rs 100 crore under Tribal Sub Plan, Rs 3 crore each would be spent on infrastructure building in education sector and Rs 2.50 crore each in health sector in every cluster village. Besides, Rs 5 crore each are being spent for completion of Eklavya Model Residential Schools in Kulgam and Anantnag.
The other components of the Tribal Sub Plan include, Rs 15 crore allocation for construction of 16 new tribal hostels and repair and renovation of existing hostels, Rs 10 crore for skill training of tribal youth, Rs 3 crore for development of tourism infrastructure, Rs 2 crore for construction of Centre of Excellence and Rs 5 crore support to SC/ST/OBC Corporation.
The meeting was informed that a Tribal Research Institute (TRI) is also being established in the state.
Speaking at the meeting the Chief Minister said empowerment of women, creation of better economic opportunities, improved road connectivity and good infrastructure in various social sectors should be the focus of the tribal development plan.
She said the focus of the Government's tribal action plan is aimed at enhancing capacity for growth, enhancing skills and faster generation of employment, managing the environment, providing markets for efficiency and inclusion, transfer of technology and innovation, securing the energy future, improved access to quality education and better preventive and curative healthcare.
On the employment front, the Chief Minister called for creation of more employment avenues through productivity enhancement in agriculture, tourism and handicraft sectors. She also called for increase in animal husbandry and dairy based activities, quality skill training for tribal youth, development of modern, scientific and technical facilities, and linking them to tribal youth for increased livelihood opportunities with preference to be given to women-headed households.
Mehbooba, who also heads the Tribal Affairs Ministry, also launched the user-friendly dedicated website of the Department. |
