Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 12: Minister for CA&PD and Tribal Affairs, Ch Zulfkar Ali today designated Additional District Development Commissioners as nodal officers of Tribal Affairs Department for implementation of several welfare schemes of the department at the district level.
“The move aims to streamline fund flow under Tribal Sub Plan, Article 275(1) and other Central and State sponsored schemes meant for the overall development of tribal”, the Minister said.
The Minister was speaking at a meeting convened to review the working of Tribal Affairs Department here today. He said that the Government would also explore the possibility of delegating the Drawing and Disbursing Powers (DDOs) to ADDCs to give them full control of the implementation of the schemes under Tribal Affairs Department.
The Minister asked the designated officers to take periodical review of Tribal Welfare Programmes implemented through various agencies. He said this would help to ensure that funds are utilized judiciously to create tangible assets in the tribal areas as envisaged in the schemes meant for the purpose.
“Nodal officers would act as watchdogs, guardians to monitor and ensure that the Tribal communities get adequate share in different State and Central schemes apart from the funds provided under Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) and Article 275 (1)”, he said.
Laying stress on streamlining and upgradation of facilities in Gujjar & Bakerwal hostels, Zulfkar instructed nodal officers to conduct inspection of these institutions once in a week to take stock of facilities being provided and problems being faced by the inmates. He further exhorted upon them to prepare a roadmap to upgrade the facilities at such Hostels as per the changing needs of the present day world.
The Minister also reviewed the measures taken for the construction of new Gujjar and Bakerwal hostels at Rajouri and Samba. He was informed that land has been identified for the construction of girls hostel at Rajouri for which an amount of Rs 2 crore would be released soon. Zulfkar also directed for early release of Rs one crore for under construction hostel at Samba and one crore for construction of Gujjar Bakerwal Hostel at Poonch.
The Minister also asked the authorities to furnish details of infrastructure and other assets created and funds utilized under TSP and Article 275 (1) during last ten years.
Among others Secretary Tribal Affairs Department, Director Tribal Affairs, Additional District Development Commissioners of various districts of Jammu Division besides other senior officers of Tribal Affairs Department attended the meeting.
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