SRINAGAR: With the onset of winter, the Tribal Affairs Department in collaboration with JK Road Transport Corporation has notified arrangements for the migration of pastoral tribal families from Kashmir to Jammu division.
Government has deployed around 150 trucks for the bakerwals undertaking migration along the National Highway and Mughal Road. The migration of families will commence in mid-September from higher reaches and will continue till November 2023.
The administrative council headed by Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha has approved the transport service for the tribal population during migration. The process will be monitored by the Chief Secretary, Arun Kumar Mehta regularly.
Earlier, Secretary, Tribal Affairs, Dr Shahid Choudhary reviewed the arrangement with Secretary of Transport, G Prasanna Ramaswamy, DCs, RTC management and other allied departments. The meeting was also attended by MD J&K RTC, the Director, Tribal Affairs, Director, Tribal Research Institute (TRI), Secretary, Advisory Board and other officers. The budget for the same has also been earmarked by the finance department.
DCs have also been authorised to hire trucks and light commercial vehicles at local level for hassle free and timely service, while the secretary, Transport Department,has conveyed its readiness to provide the trucks as per the demand raised by the districts administration.
Deputy Commissioners of District Pulwama, Anantnag, Ramban, Udhampur, Kulgam, Shopian, Poonch and Rajouri will monitor the migration and put in place required arrangements in coordination with J&K RTC, Animal/Sheep Husbandry Deptt and local authorities.
