Minister of Scheduled Tribe, Scheduled Caste and Backward Class Welfare Department, Chamra Linda today held a high-level meeting with Tribal Welfare Commissioner Ajay Nath Jha and reviewed the updated work progress of all the schemes run by the department. During the review, the Minister directed the Commissioner to prepare a better action plan for the coming time. Linda said that by working in teamwork with full dedication for the welfare of tribals, Dalits and backward classes, we should achieve the goal which can give us peace.
Linda reviewed many ambitious schemes being run by the department and also gave necessary guidelines to Jha. He said that by seriously assessing the status of the schemes run by the state government for the welfare of ST, SC, work should be done with commitment so that 100 per cent benefits of all the schemes reach the eligible beneficiaries. He said that under the able leadership of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, the State government is committed to the all-round development of Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes in the state.
The Minister visited various schools of Gumla district recently and when the supply of ration and bags-shoes etc were found to be not up to the mark as per the standards of the tender executed by the District Welfare Office, strict action was taken against the guilty contractors and he has directed the Gumla District Administration to stop payment and put the contractor in the blacklist. Along with this, the departmental minister said that in many schools of Gumla district, the food was not as per the prescribed menu, milk and fruits are not being supplied. The Tribal Welfare Commissioner immediately directed the District Welfare Officer to investigate and submit the explanation within three days.
Linda said that the headquarters and regional officers should visit the area every Friday and Saturday and ensure that all the work is being done as per the prescribed quality. The Minister said that action should be taken by identifying those who are negligent in the ongoing schemes for the tribals. He also approved the proposal to release Rs 157 crore for the pending 2023-24 session post-matric scholarship of backward castes from the Finance Department and directed to send it to the Finance Department. He said that a plan should be prepared so that tribal, scheduled caste and backward class students get quality coaching facilities in Ranchi and Delhi. He said that a plan should also be prepared to start the facility of telemedicine in remote and inaccessible areas.
The Minister said that the scheme of the Welfare Department is important for the education and health of the tribals. Tribal Health Atlas should be prepared in the entire state. With this, a health plan can be prepared for them. Complete arrangements for the treatment of sickle cell will be restored in all rural welfare hospitals. He directed that the children of the schools run by the Welfare Department should be given 'exposure visits' within the state and across the country. The Minister said that scholarship distribution for tribals and scheduled castes for the 2024-25 academic session should be completed by March 2025 based on the availability of funds.
Linda directed that an action plan should be prepared so that scholarship distribution for the next academic session 2025-26 is completed by August-September. In the session 2025-26, the work of bicycle distribution should be completed along with the enrollment of children, so that children can use it throughout the session.
