Srinagar, June 01 (Scoop News) – J&K Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Tuesday asked the concerned to lay stress on upgradation of education, health care and other basic amenities for Gujjars, Bakerwals, Paharis and other Tribals .
Chairing a high level meeting to discuss special dispensation for these sections here underscored integrated development of weaker sections of the society adding that socio-economic conditions of Gujjars, Bakerwals, Paharis and other Tribals needed to be catapulted for their balanced growth and progress.
Omar called for implementing special schemes and centrally sponsored programmes for these sections in letter and spirit ensuring timely expenditure of funds in judicious manner. “The success of these schemes is related to the actual benefits accruing to the identified people”, he said urging the concerned departments to concentrate on this aspect and realize the targets accordingly.
The Chief Minister asked for working out a special programme for setting up Mobile Anganwari Centres for the migratory Tribals to help provide facilities of this scheme to the children of nomads round the year.
The Minister for Forests, Mian Altaf Ahmad emphasized on timely flow of funds to various schemes and said that necessary steps should be taken to receive the central assistance under Article 275 (1) from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs well in time. “The Central Ministry needs to be told about the climatic hardships and disadvantages State is confronted with so that funds are released without any delay”, he said.
The Minister of State for Hajj and Auqaf, Aijaz Ahmad Khan and Minister of State for Power, Shabir Ahmad Khan pin pointed certain important issues pertaining to the welfare and development of Gujjar, Bakerwals, Pahari speaking and other tribal people.
The Chief Secretary said that in order to extend the coaching facility to the students of these communities, Central Government is being approached for this facility in the Universities of Jammu and Srinagar. He said steps are afoot while some measures are already in place to link the students of these communities to the quality coaching institutions to compete in the examinations like IIT, IIN, Medical Entrance, AIEEE, CET, IAS etc.
The meeting was attended by the Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Khurshid Ahmad Ganai, Commissioner/Secretary Planning and Development, B.B. Vyas, Secretary, Social Welfare, M.S. Khan and other senior officers.
The meeting was told that 16 Gujjar and Bakerwal hostels have been set up for boys and girls in the State at various district headquarters of which 3 are for girls. There are 1425 inmates in these hostels getting free boarding and lodging facilities.
It was stated that various schemes to benefit ST population are under implementation in the State in the sectors of rural development, education, health besides the programmes of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, IAY and SGSY.
It was stated that for Pahari speaking students 4 hostels have already been set up while two more are in the pipe line. Over 1.5 lakh children of this community are covered under pre-matric and post matric scholarships.
The meeting discussed proposal for special dispensation to these sections which included setting up of centres for art, culture and research, establishment of residential schools, equipping hostels with computer labs, empowerment of women, setting up of model villages, development of Bastis, coaching facilities, special recruitment driver , engagement of health, educators-service providers and creation of mobile anganwari centres for nomads.
The meeting also discussed relief programme for the sufferers of recent incessant rains and untimely snow fall in certain areas including Dachhan, Marwah, Kokernag etc.
The Chief Secretary informed the meeting that special assessment teams have already been deputed to these areas to finalize the reports of losses. “Soon the reports are available these would be discussed in Calamity Relief Fund committee meeting for release of relief of the affected”, he said.
The Chief Minister directed for early compilation of the reports so that sufferers receive the relief urgently.
The Secretary, Social Welfare, M.S. Khan gave resume of the activities and programmes under implementation in the State for the welfare of Gujjars, Bakerwals and Pahari speaking people.