Minister approves key proposal to accelerate tribal welfare
In a significant move towards empowering tribal communities and ensuring inclusive development, Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology and Environment and Tribal Affairs Javed Ahmed Rana has approved a key departmental proposal for inclusion of newly notified tribes in J&K under various tribal welfare schemes.
The minister asked the Secretary, Tribal Affairs Department, Prasanna Ramaswamy G and Director, Tribal Affairs, J&K, Ghulam Rasool and other senior officers to focus on expediting initiatives for socio-economic empowerment of the tribal population in J&K.
The minister accorded approval for expansion of Dharti Aaba Mission, a flagship tribal development programme aimed at improving the quality of life in tribal-majority villages. Under the proposal, which will be submitted to the Ministry for Tribal Affairs (MoTA), the mission will cover 20 districts, 112 blocks and 393 villages notified in J&K.
Additionally, 676 new villages and 204 villages from aspirational districts, including Baramulla and Kupwara, have been identified for inclusion, bringing the total number of tribal villages under the mission to 880. The Dharti Aaba Mission will prioritise interventions in infrastructure, education, healthcare and livelihood development.
The minister emphasised the inclusion of newly recognised tribal communities under welfare schemes. With the recent amendment to the J&K Scheduled Tribes Order, 2024, communities such as Pahari Ethnic tribe, Gadda Brahmin, Koli and Paddari have been added to the Scheduled Tribes list, doubling the tribal population of J&K to approximately 30 lakh, which accounts for 11.9 per cent of J&K’s total population.
These newly recognised tribes will immediately benefit from key programmes such as pre-matric and post-matric scholarships to boost educational opportunities and Dharti Aaba scheme for livelihood development.
Additionally, the Pradhan Mantri Aadi Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAAGY) will be extended to tribal villages, focusing on holistic development with an emphasis on improving basic amenities and socio-economic indicators. A detailed socio-economic survey is also in the pipeline to identify the specific challenges and needs of tribal communities, ensuring that interventions are targeted and effective.
The Tribal Affairs Department has prepared a comprehensive proposal to expand the coverage of tribal villages, selecting them based on specific criteria, such as a minimum population of 500 people with at least 50 per cent belonging to the Scheduled Tribes. For instance, Baramulla district will include 43 new villages alongside 54 aspirational district villages, while Kupwara will cover 50 new villages and 150 aspirational district villages, making them major hubs for tribal-focused areas.
