Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 25: Jammu and Kashmir Government’s flagship initiatives to facilitate the biannual movement of migratory tribal families from highland pastures in Kashmir to villages and plains in Jammu province completed one month today with setting a record for number of families benefitted. The initially launched for one-month till 25 October has been extended further till all registered families return.
The Tribal Affairs Department in the month of September notified schedule for providing free transport service to migratory tribal families from highland pastures in Kashmir to Jammu beginning 25th September. Dedicated helplines were set-up the respective District Administrations and a central IVRS Call Centre based helpline of the department.
J&K Govt introduced the transportation service for migratory tribal families in April-May this year, covering the journey on National Highway, Mughal Road and other major roads. A fleet of 40 trucks was provided. In September, the service was initiated with more than 300 trucks and several vehicles hired by the Deputy Commissioners as per number of families registered. Several hundred families returning from Kargil in Ladakh were also provided service.
Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, earlier this year, announced the launch of scheme for providing transport facilities to migratory tribal population in J&K. Chief Secretary Dr Arun Kumar Mehta revised the plan of Tribal Affairs Department for transportation support and recently the Administrative Council approved the proposal as a policy to be implemented twice a year during migration for which funds have been earmarked in the budget of department.
Secretary, Tribal Affairs Deptt, Dr Shahid Choudhary informed that till 2021 no data of Transhumance was available depriving huge tribal population of welfare schemes and development. Based on survey serval initiative and schemes were planned and rolled out in a very short time. The free transport facility is one of these.
In last one month more than 11,000 tribal families have been provided the transportation service which included transportation of livestock and household goods. Districts have reported transportation of more than 1.89 Lakh animals so far and the date for transportation has been extended which was earlier for one month. DCs have been authorised to carry on the service till all families reach back in Jammu from various areas of Kashmir.
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