Sajid Raina
Srinagar, Apr 03 : The Ministry of Tribal Affairs outlined its collaboration with the Jammu and Kashmir administration and other stakeholders to ensure the implementation of the expanded Dharti Aaba Mission in the Union Territory.
Members of Parliament Dr Hemant Vishnu Savara and Shankar Lalwani raised questions about the government’s strategy for the smooth execution of the initiative.
In response, Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Durgadas Uikey, as reported by the news agency, said the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan includes 25 interventions led by 17 ministries, aimed at addressing infrastructural gaps in 63,843 villages.
The programme focuses on improving access to health, education, Anganwadi facilities and livelihood opportunities across 549 districts and 2,911 blocks in 30 states and union territories, including 393 villages in 112 blocks of 20 districts in Jammu and Kashmir, he said, adding that each ministry has been assigned a budget and targets for its respective interventions.
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has also requested state and district administrations, including those in Jammu and Kashmir, to organise awareness camps and assist in preparing essential documents such as Aadhaar cards and Jan Dhan bank accounts to enable beneficiaries to access government schemes.
Based on proposals from the Jammu and Kashmir administration, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has approved projects worth Rs 8.77 crore under the mission
