Shahid reviews tribal welfare projects, new schemes
JAMMU, DECEMBER 5: Secretary, Tribal Affairs, Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary reviewed the progress on various projects, schemes, and initiatives of the department and stressed expediting the tendering and execution process. A number of new schemes were also deliberated upon.
Director, Tribal Affairs, Mushir Ahmed Mirza, Secretary, Advisory Board, Mukhtar Ahmed, Jt Director Planning, OSDs, senior officers of the department while Deputy Commissioners of various districts along with district and sectoral officers participated through videoconference.
A detailed review of villages selected under the Cluster Tribal Model Villages was conducted under which nearly Rs 80.00 Cr have been released by the department for the development of infrastructure in various tribal villages in different districts. Sectoral officers were asked to ensure adherence to timelines for the execution of works and tangible outcomes. Progress on Milk Villages and mini Sheep Farms being executed through the Animal and Sheep Husbandry Department was also reviewed.
Dr. Shahid asked the Deputy Commissioners and district/ sectoral officers for the active involvement of local stakeholders in the tribal villages and ensuring the time-bound execution of projects during the current financial year. He also asked for convening the meeting of the District Planning and Monitoring Committee (DPMC) for the formulation of Annual Plan 2022-23 and submission by 15th December in view of an ongoing process for budget formulation. Scholarship schemes, FRA implementation, and tribal surveys were also deliberated upon.
Department’s scheme for post-matric/ graduate scholarship was reviewed under which a record number of 8189 applications have been received up from the previous highest of around 4200 applications. Director, Tribal Affairs has been asked to initiate the coordination for institute and district verification process for timely disbursement of scholarship before the end of the financial year.
Further, CEOs have been asked to submit compiled list of pre-matric applications latest by 10th December 2021. Pertinently, budget of Rs 30.00 Cr has been provided by the Government of scholarships this year and the additional grant will be provided based on the requirement.
Steps for implementation of Van Dhan Scheme were also discussed under which each cluster of 15 SHGs is being provided Rs. 15 Lakh. Technical teams are being deputed for community engagement. Under the tourism plan, SHGs of 10 members each are being constituted for providing Rs. 20 Lakh worth of infrastructure to create a tourist village for Transhumant summer destinations. Skill Development Plan and Self-Employment initiatives were also discussed in the meeting.
