Chamba DC sounds alarm on Gujjar kids’ absence from schools

Chamba Deputy Commissioner Mukesh Repaswal on Thursday expressed deep concern over the continued absence of Gujjar children from schools and anganwadi centres during seasonal migration to high-altitude pastures. Chairing a district-level review meeting on the implementation of minority welfare schemes and disability rights, Repaswal urged the Education Department and social organisations to work together to find practical solutions.

“These children are missing out on critical learning during their stay in the upper reaches. Departments need a coordinated effort to ensure their right to education is not compromised,” said Repaswal while presiding over a review meeting of Prime Minister’s New 15-Point Programme, the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and schemes for persons with disabilities.

The DC instructed departments to intensify outreach efforts and ensure the minority population — particularly nomadic groups — benefit from central and state welfare schemes. He emphasised enrolling minority students in scholarship schemes and reviewed data on rural development benefits reaching minority households. Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin), 1,861 families have been covered and 812 families are part of 151 self-help groups in the district.

District officials also highlighted that some minority communities are already listed under Scheduled Tribes and are availing benefits under ST-specific provisions.

Repaswal called for skill development outreach programmes targeting minority youth through local ITIs and instructed the Social Justice Department to connect students with disabilities to existing scholarship schemes. He also directed that old disability certificates be converted into UDID (Unique Disability ID) cards promptly. A detailed review of cases under the SC/ST Atrocities Act was also conducted during the meeting.

In a separate review of State Disaster Management Fund (SDMF) projects, Repaswal directed all departments to ensure the timely completion of sanctioned works by March 2026. He instructed departments to expedite the tendering process where pending and resolve any delays in project execution. The meeting involved a detailed discussion on ongoing SDMF projects and departmental challenges.