Excelsior Correspondent
BANDIPORA, Sept 16: Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda today visited Bandipora as part of the ongoing public outreach programme of the Union Government.
The minister inaugurated several developmental projects and interacted with multiple public delegations, members of Panchayat Raj Institutions and political parties besides interacting with youth especially sports persons.
He inaugurated a bridge at Bapora in Arin block that connects Arin with tribal areas. He also inaugurated a newly constructed Panchayat Ghar.
Secretary Tribal Affairs Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Deputy Commissioner Dr Owais Ahmad, SSP Bandipora Mohammad Zahid and other senior Officers of the district were present on the occasion.
While talking to public delegations, the Minister told the tribal population of the district that Government has launched many welfare schemes that shall change the socio-economic condition of the tribal population with special focus on skill development and employment generation.
He also said that the Government has initiated a number of measures for the welfare of tribal communities. He said his Ministry has recently approved a project for Tribal Transit Accommodation at eight locations to be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 28 crore.
Munda said that the Department of Tribal Affairs is taking steps for effective implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Rights) Act 2006. He said the District Level and Sub-Divisional Level Committees have been constituted while the Tribal Affairs department is also working on developing community facilities.
While talking about tribal health plan, he said the Tribal Affairs Department in coordination with National Health Mission and Department of Health and Family Welfare has rolled out a special Tribal Health Plan for the first time. An amount of Rs 15 crore has been earmarked for the year 2021-22 which will include establishment of Tribal Sub-centres, mobile medical care units for migratory population, machinery and equipment, capacity building and emergency response system.
Munda said that the UT Government is shortly scheduled to roll out an ambitious scheme for establishment of 1500 mini Sheep Farms at a cost of Rs 1500 lakh during the current financial year which will provide employment to 3000 tribal youth. The scheme will be an annual affair and every year Sheep Farms with 33% additional number shall be established, he added.
Later, the Union Minister visited SK Stadium Bandipora and participated in sports activities besides inspecting stalls erected by various departments to showcase their performance and with an aim to create awareness about various welfare schemes being offered by them for the youth.
He distributed prizes among winning teams and players of various sports that were going on in the district including football, volleyball and tug of war.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
