Tribal Affairs Minister reviews key Tribal welfare initiatives

• Asks to prioritise projects aligning with govt’s tribal welfare goals

JAMMU: Minister for Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmad Rana, today convened a meeting to review progress on various welfare initiatives being implemented for the tribal communities. The meeting focused on accelerating pending proposals, optimizing resource utilization and ensuring timely execution of ongoing developmental projects. Present in the meeting were Secretary in Tribal Affairs Department, Harun Malik, Director Tribal Affairs, Ghulam Rasool, Director Finance, Iftakhar Chouhan, Joint Director Planning, Abdul Khaliq Bhatti, Deputy Secretary Tribal Affairs, Dr. Abdul Khabir and other senior officers of the department.

During the discussion, the Minister directed the officials to expedite approvals for pending proposals under the Dharti Aaba scheme, which focuses on sustainable agriculture and economic empowerment in tribal areas. He set specific timelines to ensure that the benefits of the scheme are delivered efficiently to the intended beneficiaries. The officers provided updates on utilisation of Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) budget with particular focus on infrastructure development including schools, health facilities, roads and digital connectivity in tribal regions.

The Minister asked for timely completion of delayed projects to maximise their impact. He also had a detailed review of progress on Cluster Tribal Model Villages (CTMVs) and Milk Villages initiatives. These projects aim to foster self-reliance and livelihood generation through agriculture and dairy farming. He also assessed implementation of Pradhan Mantri Aadi Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAAGY), a flagship program aimed at holistic development of tribal villages. He underscored the importance of focusing on critical areas such as education, healthcare, housing and infrastructure to achieve the program’s objectives.

The Minister reviewed the status of pending scholarship applications for tribal students and directed the officers to clear backlogs at the earliest. He emphasised the importance of ensuring timely financial support to enable students to continue their education without interruption. He also discussed NGO grants and proposals submitted through the dedicated portal. He called for enhanced transparency and efficiency in processing these proposals and stressed the need to prioritise projects that align with the government’s tribal welfare goals.

Preparations for an upcoming wool workshop being held in collaboration with TRIFED were discussed as well. This initiative aims to empower tribal artisans through training, skill enhancement and market access, enabling them to showcase their crafts at national and international levels. The Minister concluded the meeting by stressing the importance of meticulous planning, regular monitoring and accountability in implementing all initiatives. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment towards uplifting tribal communities and ensuring that the benefits of these welfare schemes reach the grassroots level effectively.