Himachal to open residential schools in tribal areas
Shimla: Himachal Government would be conceiving the proposal to open residential educational institutions in tribal areas to facilitate the students with complete academic environment and allied facilities under one roof. This was stated by Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, while reviewing the Tribal Development Department functioning here today. He said that keeping in view the difficult geo-physical conditions in the tribal areas it would be in the best interest of the students to carry on with their academic pursuits in the residential schools and the State Government would also consider roping in Non-Government Organisations to achieve the objective.
Chief Minister said that with the low admissions in some of the schools in tribal areas need to consolidate the same was surfacing for quite a long time. He said that with the opening of the residential schools the same would get solved upto larger extent. He said that the State Government was also considering providing free conveyance to the students coming to schools from distant places so that their studies were not hampered. He added that during his earlier term ‘Gurukul Awas Yojna’ had been a grand success as the teachers were able to reside in solar passive houses near to their place of duty which also resulted into better results to the school. He said that there were 827 educational institutions and 5 ITIs in the tribal areas of the State.
Prof. Dhumal said that compared to Rs. 221 crore budgetary provisions under Tribal Sub Plan for the financial year 2008-09, Rs. 243 crore had been earmarked for the current financial year, earmarking 30 percent of the same for Kinnaur, 18 percent for Lahaul, 16 percent for Spiti, 17 percent for Pangi and 19 percent for Bharmour tribal areas as per the laid down norms. He said that 9 percent of the State Budget was being carved out every year for allocation under Tribal Sub Plan with a view to carry focussed development of all such areas. He said that tribal population consisted of only 5.87 percent of the total population as per 2001 Census while 9 percent of the budget was being spent on tribal development to bring all such areas at par with the main land. He said that prior to the inclusion of the Gaddies and Gujjar communities into the Scheduled Tribe category there were only 8 tribal communities in the State mostly residing in the geographically difficult areas. He said that during past one year 95 kms. of new road and 6 bridges were constructed in tribal areas and 246 villages provided with safe drinking water and irrigation facilities. He said that 345 houses were constructed under Indira Awas and Atal Awas Yojna while 1,750 sanctioned social security pension.
Chief Minister said that out of the total tribal population 60 percent of Gaddies and Gujjars reside in the non-tribal areas and in fulfillment of the Election Manifesto of the State Government compared to Rs. 7.21 crore spent during preceding financial year 2008-09, Rs. 8.26 crore provision had been made for current financial year for spending over such community development. He said that the State Government would also be considering earmarking additional 1.5 percent of the budgetary provisions under Tribal Sub Plan for the development of tribal communities residing in non-tribal areas. He said that concerned deputy commissioners had been directed to submit detailed report with regard to take up the case with Government of India for declaration of Dodra-Kwar and Chhah Pargana area of Rampur in district Shimla; Chohar valley in district Mandi; Chhota-Bada Bhangal area of district Kangra, Trans Giri area of district Sirmour, Pandra-Bees and Malyana Churaha Block and Siraj area of district Kullu and Bangala and Barad communities and tribal.
Prof. Dhumal directed the authorities to complete ongoing developmental schemes completed upto 70 percent within one year positively and directed them to personally monitor the progress. He said that keeping in view the limited working season in the tribal areas the field functionaries needed to spend maximum time during the working season in the field and detailed reports submitted to the government. He reiterated the resolve of the State Government for speedy development of the tribal areas and communities and bring them at par with rest of the State.
Shortlink:
Posted by
Socialize