Doda: Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs and Tribal Affairs Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali said the government is committed to provide social security and over all development of the Tribal community and other weaker sections of society in the state.
The Minister said this while laying foundation stone of Residential school (Academic Block) at Gujjar and Bakarwal Boys Hostel Doda. He was accompanied by Vice Chairman (VC) Gujjar and Bakarwal Development Board (G&BDB) Gulzar Ahmed Khattana, MLA Doda Shakti Raj Parihar, Secretary Gujjar Advisory Board Mukhtar Chowdhary, DDC Bhawani Rakwal, SSP Shabir Kahtana, Director FCS&CA R.A. Inquilabi, Director Tribal Affairs Rafi Poswal, Controller Legal Metrology R.K. Katoch besides others officers of district administration.
Addressing a large gathering of people on the occasion, the Minister announced 16 crore for construction of EKLAVYA residential school which will provide education besides boarding and lodging facilities to 480 students and informed that the land for the purpose has also been identified near G&B Boys’ hostel Doda.
The minister directed to enhance the accommodation capacity of (G&B) Boys and girls hostel by 25% from existing 100 seats to 125 each and asked to keep 10 seats at the disposal of DC for nomination to the hostel. He also announced the up-gradation of G&B Girls’ hostel from secondary to graduation level.
Zulfkar informed that for the repair and renovation of G&B boys and Girls hostel, Rs 35 lakh have been already released by the Deptt of Tribal affairs and directed the district administration to increase the accommodation of girls’ hostel by installing pre-fabricated structures by the end of March 2018 besides enhanced the funds allotted/released by the deptt for the purpose by an amount of Rs 25 Lakh.
Later the minister chaired a meeting of all the district officers to review the status of mega projects under execution in the district along with their physical and financial status. He also reviewed the status of major projects taken up under SCA for development of Tribals in the district.
Regarding creation of Cluster Model village Bakhna, the minister directed DC Doda to submit a revised DPR by covering a population of around 2500 people having at least 1200-1300 tribal population and said project will be taken in convergence with RDD.
The minister also asked the DC to issue operational guidelines on the concept of creating a cluster on the pattern of tribal one.
Legislators G.M Saroori and Shakti Raj Parihar raised several public issues and demands including creation of bus stand at Thathri, argumentation of receiving station at Thathri, completion of Shiva Dal Bridge, increase in PHH households, opening of fruit Mandi at Paryote besides others.
In response to their demands, the minister directed the DC to submit a comprehensive detailed report for creation of bus stand at Thathri.
He asked the administration to restrict the allotment of shops at fruit Mandi Paryote to outsiders by adopting suitable criteria to benefit the locals.
Speaking during the meeting the minister expressed happiness over good pace of works in the district and stressed upon the officers for proper implementation of policies on ground level and work in a fair, transparent and accountable manner.
He further stressed upon all the departments to work with integrated approach so that every single household gets benefitted and benefits percolates down to the downtrodden sections of the society.
Minister also directed to prepare an Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP) by identifying the tribal population of district Doda and submit the report within a period of 15 days. Besides he asked the administration to process the file for approval of opening up of new Fair Price Shops in the district immediately and urged the DC to personally monitor the process.
Enhancing the quota of Kerosene for District Doda, Zulfikar directed SSP Doda to monitor the misuse of kerosene by the commercial vehicles.
