Holistic approach being taken for upliftment of STs: Vice-Chairperson, DDC Shopian

SHOPIAN: The Tribal Research Institute, Department of Tribal Affairs (DoTA) today organised a day-long awareness camp cum workshop on welfare schemes for Tribals at the Auditorium of Imtiyaz Memorial Government Degree College (IM-GDC) Shopian.
Vice-Chairperson, DDC, Irfan Manhas was the chief guest whereas Joint Director Planning, Khursheed Ahmed Khatana was guest of honour on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, the Vice-Chairperson said that various initiatives have been taken by the UT Government under the able guidance of Lieutenant Governor for the upliftment of the ST community and other weaker sections of the society.
He said, besides launching schemes for the target population, focus is also being given on the awareness part to ensure the benefits of these schemes reach the beneficiary in every district.
The VC appreciated the inbuilt Tribal component in all schemes including in District Plans, which has changed the socio-economic status of the people belonging to the Tribal community.
He said the holistic approach taken for Tribals has boosted the community, and students from this community have excelled in every field, be it sports, education, self-employment, health or engineering.
While deliberating on the event, Coordinator, Javed Ahmad Parray said that the aim of the programme is to create awareness among the students so that more and more students avail the benefits of the scholarship schemes for their benefit.
He said for the first time, the Nomadic population was provided transport services in all districts for their seasonal migration along with their livestock to Jammu.
He said that in order to ensure smooth and hassle-free services to the STs, the Tribal Welfare Officers shall be deployed and Tribal Welfare offices shall be opened and will function as independent offices in all districts by the next year.
The coordinator informed that two cluster model villages shall be established in every district to focus on the developmental activities of the tribal areas.
He said under Jan Abhiyaan, 180 villages have received special funding, 120 percent enhancement of post matric scholarship schemes, 30 hostels have been established, 80 more are coming up in the UT.
JDP, Khursheed Ahmad Khatana while speaking on the occasion stressed and said that the need of the hour is to intensify awareness among the ST Community about the benefits of various welfare schemes so that they are able to avail the benefits of these schemes.
DDC Member, Aijaz Mir, CEO also spoke on the occasion and stressed upon reaching out to all people especially students in far-off places.
The programme was attended by all DDC Members, Principal IM-GDC Shopian, Bashir Ahmad; Chief Education Officer Shopian, Mushtaq Ahmed; Nodal Officer Tribal Affairs, Javid Ahmed Parray; District Officers, College Professors and other people.

KR Desk