Legislators call on Zulfkar

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 11: Minister for CAPD, Tribal Affairs Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali convened a meeting with legislators from tribal community to seek their suggestions for formulation of tribal policy for the socio economic development of Gujjar Bakarwal .
Among others, Minister of State for Transport, Abdul Gani Kohli, Minister of State for Cooperatives and Ladakh Affairs, Cherring Dorjay, MLA, Leh, Rigzin Jora, MLA Gool, Aijaz Ahmed Khan, MLA Gulabgarh, Mumtaz Khan, MLA, Rajouri, Qammer Hussain, MLA Surankote, Ch. Mohammad Akram, MLA Zanskar, Syeed Baqir Rizvi, Commissioner/Secretary, Social Welfare Department , Director Tribal Affairs besides other officers of concerned departments attended the meeting .
Detailed discussion was held on various issues relating to welfare and upliftment of Schedule Tribe which mainly include reopening of mobile schools, improvement in hostels management, conversion of Gujjar Hostels into residential schools, opening of co-education schools at district level, construction of Eklavya Model Schools, opening of anganwadi centres in tribal areas recruitment for Gujjars and Bakarwals (G&B) and pre-matric scholarships.
It was proposed in the meeting that Eklavya school having all modern facilities would be constructed in Leh while a co-education school would be constructed at Kargil  in the next financial year.
Expressing concern over alarming drop-out rate from schools, the legislators suggested adoption of cohesive approach for strengthening education system. In this regard, it was recommended that possibilities of getting admission in leading schools for their better academic carrier would be explored besides enhancing the diet charges for the boarders. It was further decided that a well knit policy be framed for posting of wardens in Gujjar and Bakerwal hostels.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that the Government is committed for equitable development and reaching out to all areas with a comprehensive welfare programme.  He stressed on effective coordination to ensure realization of envisaged goals.
The Minister exhorted upon the officers to ensure awareness is generated about the welfare programmes and schemes so that people can avail their benefits .He stressed on a proactive approach in redressing the grievances of the people
Regarding irregularities in disbursement of scholarship, the Minister directed the Director Colleges to fill the scholarship forms of tribal candidates alongwith their admission forms so that all the candidates are covered under the scheme.
Earlier, the Minister also called a meeting with representative of Gujjar and Bakkerwal community to take stock of their problems and developmental needs.
The Minister assured the representatives that necessary action will be taken for meeting their demands and aspirations.