Tribal Research centre to come up at Kashmir University

Jammu, March 26: For welfare of the tribal community in Jammu and Kashmir, the state government is planning to start a tribal research centre at the Kashmir University.

"Besides three co-education schools for the tribal, we would start a tribal research centre at the Kashmir University," Minister for Tribal Affairs, Choudhary Zulfkar Ali said, while speaking on the demands for grants of his department at the Legislative Assembly today.

He said the government would further strengthen the Tribal Affairs Department for the speedy development of Scheduled Tribes and other communities. Ali said that taking into consideration the pathetic conditions of the tribal communities, government created an independent Ministry with necessary powers and budgetary support for their welfare.

"The Directorate of Tribal Affairs has been empowered to give focussed attention on the problems and affairs of the community in a planned and systematic way," he said. While revealing the initiatives and proposals for the development of nomad communities, he said that an effective policy has been formulated for granting scholarships and other assistance to the students.

"Five new hostels for the Gujjars and nomads students, three co-education schools, one Tribal Research Centre in Kashmir University have been approved," he said. The minister said a plan for Rs 5 crore for the skill development of tribal communities has also been sent to the Centre for funding.

"For the security of the tribal and nomad communities, government has already issued instructions to the concerned Divisional Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners in this behalf" he said.

He said that the government also reviews the implementation of Tribal Affairs Plans from time to time and takes appropriate measures to address their concerns and needs.

PTI