Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 11: Dema-nding a hassle-free bank loan for tribal children willing to pursue higher education, the members of Gujjar and Bakerwal communities – a main Scheduled Tribe groups of Jammu and Kashmir – today pleaded that State Government should take security guarantee for such processes.
They made this appeal in view of abrupt increase in dropout percentage among tribal students at higher studies level due to non availability of guarantor in nomadic tribes which fall under low economy groups of India.
A programme was organised by Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation today to discuss the issues and problems being faced by the tribal and nomadic students related to higher studies, which was presided over by Dr Javaid Rahi while a number of tribal elders, students and youth participated.
Dr Javaid Rahi in his presidential address stated that “Tribal children are very intelligent and hard working but due to poverty they are not able to complete their education without adequate financial support”.
A number of students left their studies mid-way due to unavailability guarantor for bank loans , he said and hoped that the present regime, headed by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who is also the Minister for Tribal Affairs of J&K, will take effective steps on this important issue. He said a memorandum, in this regard, stands already sent to her, and a favourable decision is expected over the issue.
He said that the community collectively should also ensure that the brilliant tribal students are not prevented from pursuing higher studies due to lack of funds and resources. He pleaded for a community based approach for constituting area-wise self-help groups for such purposes.
The other speakers demanded that for tribal and nomadic students the Government should become a guarantor, seeking educational bank loans up-to or above Rs 10.00 lakh.
Those who spoke included Rahat ali , Akhter Chowhdary, Hakam Din Khatana, Ghalam Qadar Bajad, Mohammad Hussain, Khalid Mujeeb and others.
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