WATSUPPTODAY DESK
08-07-2023

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today lashed out at National Conference and People’s Democratic Party on the issue of giving homes to the homeless saying that the days of some people acting as the “owners of Government property and funds” are gone. Addressing the National Tribal Festival at SKICC here, the LG said that the recent announcement of giving land to 2711 landless families and homes to those who are homeless has pinched some people who have started to oppose the move. Without naming PDP president Mehbooba Mufti and NC vice president, Sinha said that they grabbed State land, constructed huge houses for themselves, and left the poor to suffer and now the same people are misleading the common masses. “I want to tell them that gone are the days when they were treating themselves as the owners of Government property and funds. Gone are the days when they were taking decisions that suit their political interests,” he said. The LG said that Prime Minister’s Awas Yojana was implemented across the country except for J&K. “Now that the scheme is being implemented here too, some people feel the pain. This is PM (Narendra Modi’s) dream and will be fulfilled. Each homeless family will get 5 marlas so that they can build their dream house,” he added. Sinha said that they must understand that such a discriminatory system was abolished on 5th August 2019. “Now we are marching ahead with one resolve and one aim that poorest of the poor, Dalits, OBCs and tribal community have the first right on Government resources, he added. “As per Tribal Affairs Department, 40,000 PMAY houses are to be allocated to eligible tribal community families. Government record suggests, out of these, around 8000 are landless. They cannot be deprived merely because some people do not want to see benefits reaching to underprivileged and tribals being empowered,” he added.
The LG lauded the significant contribution of the Tribal community in strengthening the spirit of cultural integration and conservation and protection of natural resources. “Tribal community has laid the strong foundation for the country to prosper. For centuries, the community acted as a bridge connecting our cultural ethos and conserving our biodiversity. Their determined contribution to the development process is a source of inspiration for all of us,” he said.
Sinha also shared the efforts and initiatives of the Government to empower the tribal youth and women and to give impetus to the socio-economic development of the tribal community. “We understand the dreams of tribal youth and encourage them in every way possible so that they do not fall behind anyone in the age of accelerated change. Efforts are being made to ensure that every benefit is available to them,” he said. “Today the doors of opportunity are opening up for the tribal community. It is the prime objective of the Government to provide equal opportunities to youth and women of the tribal community, to ensure that economic and social justice reaches them and we make them partners in the system,” he added. Sinha urged the people to buy the products made by the tribal community members. “We will also direct the Government departments to procure products made by Tribal artisans,” he said. He appreciated the artists of the tribal community from different States for showcasing the rich tribal culture and heritage through dance and music performances.
The LG launched various initiatives of the Tribal Affairs Department including TRI Wool Web Portal and GIS Portal for Transhumance. He also rolled out Law 20 Coaching Scheme for Law students staying in Tribal Hostels. Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Secretary to the Government, Tribal Affairs Department gave a detailed briefing on the initiatives taken by the administration for the welfare of the tribal community in J&K UT. He expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs for the support. The Tribal Affairs Department in collaboration with the Jodhpur-based Central Wool Development Board is launching several schemes for the families involved in sheep farming. Under Law 20 Scheme, Law students staying in Tribal Hostels will be provided free-of-cost coaching for Prestigious Exams by the renowned coaching institute of the country. The GIS Portal will help in tracking the migratory tribal population. Dr Naval Jit Kapoor, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Secretaries of various States; senior officers from Union Ministry, UT Administration, and Police; members, artisans, entrepreneurs, and students of the tribal community were present on the occasion.