Separate directorate for tribal affairs, schools upgraded in Kashmir

Srinagar, July 31 (UNI) Approving creation of a separate directorate for tribal affairs, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad also announced up-gradation of 100 primary schools located in Gujjar and Bakerwal populated areas in the state.

Decision to this effect was taken at the 31st meeting of the State Advisory Board for Development of Gujjar and Bakerwals chaired by the Chief Minister here last evening.

This follows persistent demand of members of the Board for establishment of a separate tribal directorate in the state to monitor works taken up under Tribal Sub-Plan, special central assistance and Artice 275 (i) of the Indian Constitution under which special assistance for tribals is received by the state as constitutional guarantee.

The members felt that social welfare department, hitherto looking after tribal affairs, was too burdened with other activities to devote time to tribal issues.

The to-be created department shall be headed by a director who would be moving with darbar every six months, besides two deputy directors, one each for Kashmir and Jammu province. The department would function under the overall supervision of the Secretary, Social Welfare.

The Chief Minister said that 100 primary schools located in areas inhabited by Gujjar and Bakerwal community would be upgraded to middle level during the current year.

The State has a target of up-gradation of 711 primary schools under Sarveshiksha Abhiyan during 2007-08.

The Chief Minister said Gujjars and Bakerwals had suffered neglect in the past and that he wanted to undo the injustice.

He said the community had played a great role in economic and social life of the state but had suffered much during the long turmoil as its members could not go to the highland pastures for feeding their livestock, the mainstay of their economic activities.

He assured the community that the coalition government would do everything possible to ensure that they marched ahead with other communities in matters of development.

Mr Azad issued instructions that the entire money meant for tribals should be kept under one head and the funds allotted for the head should not be transferred for any other purpose.

He said a committee comprising Chief Secretary, Financial Commissioner, Home, Commissioner Finance, Secretary, Social Welfare and four members from the Gujjar and Bakerwal Community would report in two months on the proposal for separate share for tribals in the State Plan.

On a proposal for strengthening of mobile schools, the Chief Minister called for a status report on the enrolment in stationary schools within a fortnight to decide whether there were enough students to warrant their stationary status.

He said three month's crash training programme in first aid would be imparted to teachers of all the 2099 schools meant for the community and tents would be provided to mobile schools in the light of the report to be submitted by the committee headed by the Chief Secretary.

He ordered transfer of all wardens of Gujjar and Bakerwal hostels who have completed three years at the present place of posting.

UNI