Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 17: Minister for CA&PD and Tribal Affairs Choudhary Zulfkar Ali today exhorted upon the executing agencies for effective implementation and judicious utilisation of funds under Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) with a vision to build a robust institutional mechanism to ensure integrated development of tribals.
The Minister called for convergence of various centrally sponsored schemes with outcome-oriented approach to bring the targeted sections at par with the mainstream.
Minister gave these directions during a follow up meeting regarding utilization of funds for tribal development under various Centrally Sponsored Schemes.
“Neither any diversion nor non-utilization of funds would be tolerated as the tribal population deserves focussed and integrated development,” the Minister asserted
Secretary CA&PD Sourabh Bhagat, Secretary Animal and Sheep Husbandry Satish Nehru, Secretary Tribal Affairs Ali Raza, Director Rural Development Tasaduq Jeelani, Director Tribal Affairs besides senior officers of School Education and General Administration Departments were among in the meeting.
Minister directed Secretary Science and Technology to identify un-electrified tribal hamlets in remote and hilly areas and provide solar lights to these areas on priority under Jammu Kashmir Energy Development Agency (JKEDA) scheme.
Reviewing progress of programmes under Rural Development Department, the Minister instructed Director RDD Kashmir to submit a comprehensive progress report for the past three years regarding different CSS including IAY, MGNREGA covering tribal areas so that a comprehensive plan is formulated to ensure that benefits of these schemes help in transformation of socio- economic condition of these underprivileged sections of the society.
Zulfkar said that one of the priorities of Tribal Affairs Ministry is to focus on skill development and employment generation initiatives to ensure overall development and sustainable livelihood for tribal population.
Exhorting upon the executing agencies to make implementation of welfare schemes for tribals more effective and result-oriented, the Minister said that these communities need special attention and it is our responsibility to give them their due.
Follow our WhatsApp channel