SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 24:Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo today reviewed the progress of various Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) aimed at the socio-economic upliftment of tribal communities in the Union Territory.
The meeting was attended by Secretary, Tribal Affairs Department (TAD), Prasanna Ramaswamy G; Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare; Secretary, Health & Medical Education; Secretary, Rural Development; Secretary, Law; DG, Resources; and other senior officers.
Deputy Commissioners also participated through video conferencing.
During the review, the Chief Secretary underscored the need to accelerate expenditure under tribal welfare programmes and directed Deputy Commissioners to expedite the formulation of Village Action Plans (VAPs) under the Aadi Karmayogi Abhiyan. He stressed on undertaking a family-wise assessment of scheme saturation to ensure targeted delivery of benefits and directed departments to guarantee smooth and timely implementation in all tribal areas.
The Secretary, Tribal Affairs Department, informed that the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA), Government of India, has approved a significant financial outlay of Rs. 47.981 crore for J&K under various schemes for 2025-26. This marks a substantial increase from the initial sanction of Rs. 9.8025 crore.
Of this, Rs. 39.21 crore has been earmarked for projects under the Dharti AabaJanjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA-JGUA), Rs. 5 crore for establishing five Tribal Multipurpose Marketing Centers (TMMCs), and Rs. 3.771 crore for creation of Forest Rights Act (FRA) Cells at the state and district levels.
Moreover it was divulged that the five approved TMMC locations identified includes Lar (Ganderbal), Khumriyal (Kupwara), Agar Jitto (Reasi), Bus Stand Mendhar/Behra (Poonch), and Bus Stand (Rajouri).
The meeting also reviewed progress under the Aadi Karmayogi Abhiyan, a flagship mission to transform grassroots governance and service delivery in tribal communities.
The initiative aims to create a cadre of “AdiSahyogis” and “AdiSathis” to mobilize communities, generate demand for services, and ensure saturation of critical schemes through multi-departmental convergence.
In its first phase, the Abhiyan will cover 237 villages across 39 blocks in four districts—Bandipora, Poonch, Rajouri, and Reasi. A comprehensive Gap Analysis conducted by Deputy Commissioners through Gram Sabhas has highlighted deficiencies in road connectivity, piped water supply, electricity, and health and education facilities. These gaps will be translated into project proposals for submission to MoTA.
A key outcome of the mission will be the preparation of Village Action Plans (VAPs), which will be formally approved in Special Gram Sabhas scheduled for October 2, 2025, in all 237 targeted villages. The performance of these districts will play a decisive role in determining future funding for the remaining 16 districts of the UT.
Reiterating the Government’s commitment, the Chief Secretary called for coordinated efforts by all stakeholders to ensure that the benefits of welfare schemes effectively reach every tribal household in J&K.