Rana calls for multi-pronged strategy to accelerate tribal empowerment across J&K

SRINAGAR : Minister for Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, on Wednesday called for a comprehensive and multi-pronged approach to accelerate the pace of tribal empowerment across Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Zainpora, Showket Hussain Ganie; Director, Tribal Affairs, Mumtaz Choudhary; Mission Director, Jammu and Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission (JKRLM), Dr. Shubhra Sharma; and other senior officers.
Chairing a detailed review meeting on the implementation of Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY), the Minister underlined the importance of inclusive planning, inter-departmental coordination, and ground-level execution to ensure that the benefits of government schemes effectively reach tribal communities, especially those residing in remote and underserved regions.
During the interaction, the Minister reviewed the progress of PMVDY across various districts and examined its impact on tribal livelihoods and socio-economic development.
At the outset, Rana enquired about the status of Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) established across the Union Territory, their operational effectiveness, and the tangible outcomes achieved in terms of income generation and employment creation.
He emphasised that PMVDY has the potential to be a game changer by promoting value addition to minor forest produce (MFP), thereby empowering tribal entrepreneurs and enhancing their access to sustainable livelihood opportunities.
The Minister sought detailed information regarding the training and capacity-building efforts undertaken under the scheme, particularly those targeting tribal artisans and small-scale entrepreneurs in far-flung areas.
Rana urged the officials to intensify efforts to expand market linkages for tribal products at both regional and national levels. He asked departments to identify existing implementation gaps, strengthen inter-agency collaboration, and submit fresh proposals in areas where interventions are most urgently needed.
The Minister highlighted the need for timely and well-planned initiatives to bridge developmental disparities and enhance the reach and relevance of the Van Dhan scheme.
He reiterated that the success of PMVDY lies in its ability to create self-reliant, skilled and empowered tribal communities capable of participating actively in the economic progress of Jammu and Kashmir.
He affirmed the Government’s firm commitment to integrating tribal populations into the mainstream economy while simultaneously preserving and promoting their rich cultural and artisanal heritage.
Calling for data-driven and structured approach to planning, monitoring and execution, the Minister emphasised the importance of continuous progress tracking, impact evaluation, and replication of successful models across tribal-dominated areas.
Rana also called upon the Jammu and Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission (JKRLM) to work in close coordination with local Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) while formulating and implementing livelihood initiatives.
He noted that MLAs possess deep insights into the needs and aspirations of their constituencies and can play a pivotal role in ensuring that government programmes are both need-based and impactful.
He stressed that active collaboration between administrative agencies and elected representatives can significantly enhance the outreach, efficiency, and responsiveness of developmental interventions.
The Minister urged all stakeholders to work in synergy to realise the shared vision of an inclusive, equitable and empowered tribal society in Jammu and Kashmir.