Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 5: Government has ordered an inquiry to ascertain the facts for non utilization of funds released for Tribal Development Schemes (TDS) in various districts in the State.
Expressing dismay over surrendering the unutilized amount released for TDS in various districts, Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CA&PD) and Tribal Affairs, Choudhary Zulfkar Ali constituted a three- member committee headed by Director Tribal Affairs and asked them to conduct a thorough inquiry to ascertain the facts for non utilization of the funds and fix the responsibility.
The Minister has asked the committee to submit the report within the shortest possible time, an official spokesman said here today. Meanwhile, he has stressed the need for encouraging skill development among the tribal youths to enable them seek substantial employment in private as well Government sectors.
He called for introduction of innovative schemes through Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) which provides training to the youth in various sectors like PHE, electronics, industries and tourism. Emphasizing on creation of tangible assets covering major sector like bridges, water supply schemes, PDD schemes preferably in those tribal areas which lack these basic amenities, the Minister said that objective of the plan should be to bridge the gap of development between tribal areas and other areas besides ensuring reasonable share of allocations in various sectors through equitable distribution of resources.
Mr Ali asked the concerned planning officers to upgrade the plan in such a way so that it suits to the requirements of tribals, both by way of income generating economic activities which make them self sustained, besides creation of long lasting assets which are dire need of hour. He said the buzz word in the developmental process should be judicial spending of funds so that benefits accrue to the people timely and as per envisaged in the scheme.
He also asked the concerned to earmark sufficient funds under the sub plan for the construction of new hostels at Shopian and Ramban besides upgradation and modernization of existing infrastructure in other operational Gujjar and Bakerwal hostels.
An amount of Rs 37 crore has been proposed under different schemes for tribals for the year 2015-16. To give further fillip to the developmental activities for the welfare of the Tribals, the Minister authorized the concerned Chief Planning Officers(CPOs) as Nodal officers during the intervening time till the department will appoint their own officers in the respective districts.
He has asked the CPOs to revise their proposal with focus on latest skill development initiatives like tourist guide, plumber and electrician and furnish all the details in this regard in concerned department within the time of three days.
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