JAMMU, Feb 19: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday informed the Legislative Assembly that Tribal welfare schemes are being implemented across all constituencies having Scheduled Tribe population strictly on the basis of resource availability, as it disclosed a Rs 2.60 crore development plan for the Bandipora constituency.
In a written reply to a question by Legislator Nizam ud-Din Bhat, the government as per Kashmir Convener detailed the schemes being implemented for empowerment of Tribals in the Bandipora constituency while outlining the mechanism to ensure equitable distribution of funds across the district.
“All the schemes being implemented under the Department of Tribal Affairs are launched and are operational with the objective of empowerment of the tribal communities. The benefits under these schemes are extended to all constituencies having Scheduled Tribe (ST) population, strictly as per the availability of resources and budgetary allocations with the Department,” the government said in its reply.
Responding to concerns about potential disparity in distribution of funds, the government asserted that a structured, transparent and need-based approach is followed to ensure equitable implementation across all constituencies of the district.
According to the reply, interventions are prioritized based on objective criteria such as tribal population concentration, socio-economic indicators, infrastructure gaps and accessibility, rather than constituency-wise allocation.
The government informed the House that schemes and works are formulated at the district level in consultation with the district administration and elected representatives to ensure that local needs of tribal habitations are duly considered.
With specific reference to Bandipora constituency, the government appended an annexure detailing 15 works presently under execution under various welfare schemes with a total approved allocation of Rs 260.18 lakh for 2025-26.
The major expenditure includes Rs 200 lakh for construction of a ST Girls Hostel at District Headquarters Bandipora, Rs 12 lakh for a steel foot bridge across Bonyar Nallah near Middle School Chandaji, and Rs 11.25 lakh for development of power infrastructure for villages Sumlar, Shokbaba and Kudara.
Other projects include establishment of three smart classrooms in government schools in tribal areas, construction of culverts and drains, chain link fencing around public parks, construction of bathrooms near various Masjids, and establishment of Sozni centres and tailoring centres at Kudara and C.A Khan.
The reply also mentioned creation of power infrastructure including a 100 KVA transformer at Mulkhiama C.A Khan and a 63 KVA transformer near HS Manikah Kudara.
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