'Ambitions plan for upliftment tribals on anvil'

KT NEWS SERVICE Srinagar, June 9: An ambitious plan is being formulated at the national level for socio- economic up-liftment of Gujjar and Bakerwal and other terbal sections of the society.

The comprehensive plan is to be implemented over a period of 20 years envisages improving road networks, medicare, education, drinking water and other basic amenities in the areas inhabited by these communities.

This was announced by the Chairman, Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes Commission, Dillip Sing Bhuria at a press conference here, this morning.

The members of the commission were also present.

Bhuria outlining the activities of the commission said, that the commission is presently on a 5-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir to have a feel of the problems confronting these sections of the society.

He said that it had visited tribal areas in Jammu and held meetings with prominent tribal leaders including Vice- Chairman, Gujjar and Bakerwal Advisory Board, Haji Buland Khan and discussed in detail the development programmes and also political job and reservations for these communities.

The commission had visited Ladakh region during last year.

He said the meetings were also held with Chief Secretary and other senior government functionaries.

The commission also called on the Governor, Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister and apprised them about the problems of Scheduled Tribe population in the State.

The Chairman said that the commission felt that a strategy should be adopted for identifying villages, blocks and districts on the basis of schedule tribe population so that the development activities are given more focus, there.

He said need was felt for establishing a Nodal Tribal Department that can liaise with line departments for planning, monitoring and implementation of various tribal schemes.

He said milk collection centres should be set up for collection of milk from Gujjar and Bakerwal communities as also organize milk Cooperative Societies and Plants.

He said the commission advocates fresh look about giving traditional rights over pastures to Gujjar, Bakerwal and Gaddies.