SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir’s Tribal Affairs Minister Javed Ahmed Rana on Monday directed officials to enhance the infrastructure of the Tribal Research Institute (TRI) and foster wider coordination with all stakeholders, including tribal communities, academia and civil society organisations, to promote cutting-edge research and inclusive development.
Chairing a review meeting with senior officials of the Tribal Affairs Department, Rana emphasised the need to transform TRI into a premier centre of tribal research and excellence. The meeting was attended by Secretary Tribal Affairs Harun Malik, Director Tribal Affairs Mohammad Mumtaz Ali and other departmental officers.
Highlighting the institute’s role in shaping policies and programmes for tribal welfare, Rana instructed officers to draft a comprehensive coordination plan to define the broader structure of TRI’s functions and activities. He called for hiring reputed consultants, upgrading physical infrastructure, and submitting detailed project reports (DPRs) to strengthen the institute’s operational capacity.
“Our vision for TRI should be to establish it as a premier institute of tribal research and excellence, contributing to the socio-economic development of tribal communities in Jammu and Kashmir,” said Rana. “TRI’s work should be guided by a deep understanding of tribal issues, cultures, and aspirations.”
The minister said TRI should serve as a hub for research, policy formulation, and capacity building in tribal affairs. He added that TRI must act as a key driver of innovation, collaboration and development for tribal communities across Jammu and Kashmir.
