Tribal welfare top priority of Union Govt; said MoS Triabal Affairs Renuka Singh. She laid foundation stones of tribal transit accommodation facilities & met several deputations.

GNSONLINE RAJOURI
SHYAM SOOD

RAJOURI, OCTOBER 20:–Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Renuka Singh on Thursday concluded two day visit to Rajouri district, as a part of special public outreach to UT of J&K, and said; “Tribal welfare is among the top priorities of Union Government”.
The Minister on Thursday also met deputations of Gujjar & Bakerwals, and Paharis at Rajouri.
Gujjars & Bakerwals deputation besides other demands/issues also demanded safeguarding 10% reservation status for them and permanent shelters for the migratory tribal population & inclusion of all eligible beneficiaries under Forest Right Act among others.
Sanctioning of adequate tribal funds, sanctioning of additional EMRs for the district, improvement in quality of education in mobile schools, proper market linkage to be provided for wool, a concession to be provided to the nomads in electricity bills etc were other issues raised in the meeting.
“All your genuine concerns would be redressed in a time-bound manner Tribal welfare is among the topmost priorities of the Central Government and dedicated efforts are being made to raise the socio-economic status of the tribal population,” the Minister said.
Pahadi deputation also raised their issues/demands before the Minister including their long pending issue of ST status for the Pahari community.
While addressing the meeting, Renuka Singh the Minister said; “The Government is taking best possible measures for the overall development of the UT of J&K & it is being ensured that the benefits of the welfare schemes and programs reach the last beneficiary of the country”.
“Union Government has set the target of turning India into a developed nation by the 100th year of its independence, 2047. The development is on fast track in the UT of J&K and scores of vital developmental projects have been completed and many projects are in progress” she added.
She also visited Eklaya Model Residential School at Gurdhan Balla & interacted with the teaching staff and the students.
“Ensure that quality education is provided to the students in school. Students must dream big and work hard to achieve the desired goals of their lives” said the Minister while interacting with staff/students.
“The Government is taking effective measures to improve the education standards by building the capacity of the teachers with modern teaching techniques,” said Renuka Singh.
Later, the Minister visited Kotranka & Thanamandi tehsils and laid the foundation stone of tribal transit accommodation facilities for the tribal population at Kesari Hill (Koteranka) and Thanamandi with a project cost of Rs 354 lakhs each.
DDC Chairman Naseem Liyaqat, DDC Rajouri Vikas Kundal, SSP Mohd Aslam, Director Tribal Affairs Musheer Ahmed, ADDC Pawan Kumar, CPO Mohammad Khurshid, ACR Imran Rashid Kataria, SDM Thanamandi Vikas Dhar, Dy Director Tribal Affairs Dr Abdul Khabir and other senior officers accompanied the Minister.