Srinagar, June 16: Aimed at promoting tribal welfare and research in Jammu & Kashmir, Tribal Affairs Minister, Javed Ahmed Rana, today reviewed measures to strengthen the Tribal Research Institute (TRI) in Jammu and Kashmir, here at the Civil Secretariat Srinagar.
In a meeting of the officers of Tribal Affairs Department, the Minister emphasized the pivotal role of TRI in promoting tribal welfare and called for transforming it into a premier institute of tribal research and excellence.
The meeting was attended by Secretary in Tribal Affairs Department, Harun Malik, Director Tribal Affairs, Mohd Mumtaz Ali and other senior officers of the Department.
During the review, Minister Rana directed officers to formulate broader coordination with all stakeholders to devise the broader structure of role and activities to be taken up by the TRI.
He stressed the need for infrastructure upgrades, hiring of reputed consultants, and submission of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) to ensure the institute’s effective functioning.
The Minister also emphasized the importance of studying and replicating best practices and models from other parts of the country to enhance TRI’s capabilities.
He envisioned TRI as a hub for innovative research, policy formulation, and capacity building, ultimately contributing to the socio-economic development of tribal communities in J&K.
He directed for enhancing TRI’s infrastructure to facilitate cutting-edge research and training. Directions were also issued for fostering broader coordination with all stakeholders, including tribal communities, academia, and civil society organizations.
The Minister also instructed for engaging experienced and reputed consultants to provide expertise in tribal research and development and prepare and submit DPRs for various projects and initiatives to be undertaken by TRI.
Officers were asked to undertake visits outside J&K to study and replicate best models from other parts of the country to inform TRI’s strategies and programs.
The Department’s vision for TRI has to be to establish it as a premier institute of tribal research and excellence, contributing to the socio-economic development of tribal communities in J&K, the Minister emphasised and instructed that TRI’s work should be guided by a deep understanding of tribal issues, cultures, and aspirations.
TRI should be positioned as a key driver of tribal welfare and development in J&K, leveraging research, innovation, and collaboration to improve the lives of tribal communities, he added.
