Jammu : Demanding immediate extension of newly launched centrally sponsored scheme ‘Tribal Livelihood Programme’ to Jammu and Kashmir, Gujjars pleaded that a broad-based policy is required to strengthen the living stranded of nomadic tribes through such initiatives.
The demand was raised during a programme organized by ‘Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation’ here, aimed to discuss the issues related to tribal economy. Noted tribal researcher Dr Javaid Rahi presided over the event while tribal dignitaries participated in the programme.
Dr. Javaid Rahi, in his address, stated that if ‘Tribal livelihood programme’, if extended to Jammu and Kashmir, will not only help to boost the tribal economy of nomads but it can also bridge gaps in schemes and to promote entrepreneurship among tribal communities.
He said that a detailed memorandum on behalf of Gujjars of J&K was sent to Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi urging him to intervene and include J&K States in the list like Assam, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Odisha and Telangana, which were chosen by the Centre under Tribal Ministry to National Resource Centre for Tribal Livelihood, ‘Vanjeevan‘ programme.
He said if J&K is included in the list of States, where this scheme was launched in 1st phase – it can cater to development and promotion of livelihood avenues in areas like farm, non-farm, Forest-based allied sectors through entrepreneurship and skill development.
He said due to fall of tribal economy, the nomadic tribal people are presently shifting to other occupations – from cattle raring to unskilled labor. This scheme was especially designed and launched to put stop on such practices. The program will focus on the identification of local resources, keeping in view the existing skill level.
In this programme, the National Resource Centre is serving as a platform for livelihood mapping, skill gap analysis and knowledge hub where consolidation of best livelihood and entrepreneurship models will be accessible for tribal entrepreneurship development.
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