Minister for Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, today chaired a comprehensive review meeting to assess the functioning of tribal hostels across the Jammu division, with a focus on improving living facilities, strengthening nutritional standards, ensuring quality education and expediting the construction of new hostel infrastructure for tribal students.
During the meeting, the Minister reviewed the overall functioning of hostels operating under the Tribal Affairs Department and took stock of the progress of hostel buildings currently under construction in various districts of the Jammu division. He directed the concerned officers to immediately identify and remove all bottlenecks hampering the pace of construction so that the works are completed within the stipulated timelines.
Emphasising the importance of adequate accommodation facilities for students belonging to tribal communities, the Minister stated that the construction and upgradation of tribal hostels must be treated as a priority by the department. He observed that these hostels play a crucial role in enabling students from remote and tribal areas to pursue education in urban and semi-urban centres. He also instructed the concerned authorities to resolve issues related to land identification and allotment on priority so that no delay occurs in the execution of approved projects.
The Minister stressed that hostel facilities should not only provide accommodation but also create a supportive and enabling environment for students to focus on their studies and overall development. He underscored the need to strengthen academic support mechanisms within hostels and ensure that students receive a conducive atmosphere for quality education and personal growth.
Taking serious notice of complaints received from certain areas regarding the quality and availability of food and dietary supplements provided to students, the Minister directed the department to ensure strict monitoring of food supplies. He instructed that hostel menus should be of optimum quality and must be designed to meet the nutritional requirements of students. He also called for the introduction of a standardised and balanced menu across tribal hostels in Jammu and Kashmir to ensure uniformity in dietary standards and proper nutrition for all students.
The Minister further directed the wardens of hostels to submit detailed requirements of their respective institutions, including repair and renovation works, furnishing needs, maintenance requirements and other infrastructural gaps. He said that the preparation of such requirement reports will enable the department to plan timely interventions and allocate resources for improving hostel facilities in a systematic manner.
Highlighting the importance of holistic development, the Minister emphasised that hostels should actively promote sports, cultural and extracurricular activities among students. He observed that such activities play an important role in nurturing talent, building confidence and ensuring the overall personality development of students from tribal communities.
During the meeting, the Minister also reviewed the staffing position in hostels, including the availability of wardens and supporting staff, and sought details regarding vacancies and the requirement of additional manpower wherever necessary. He emphasised the need to strengthen safety and welfare measures in hostels by ensuring adequate security arrangements, regular health check-ups and access to basic medical facilities for students.
The Minister further directed the department to maintain proper financial discipline and ensure judicious utilisation of funds allocated for hostel management and infrastructure development. He asked the officers to maintain updated records regarding the status of funds received, expenditure incurred and any pending liabilities so that financial management remains transparent and accountable.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to the welfare and educational advancement of tribal students, the Minister said that strengthening hostel infrastructure and improving student welfare measures remain key priorities of the Tribal Affairs Department.
The Minister also directed that the names of hostels must remain the same as approved at the time of their sanction and should not be altered under any circumstances, as maintaining the sanctioned nomenclature is important for administrative clarity and record consistency.
Director Tribal Affairs J&K Mohammad Mumtaz Ali, Director Finance Tribal Affairs Department Iftikhar Chouhan, Additional Secretary Latief Choudhary, Joint Director Planning Abdul Khaliq Bhatti and Deputy Director Tribal Affairs Jammu (Nodal Officer TRI) Dr. Abdul Khabir, along with other officers and officials of the department, participated in the meeting.