Indian Tribal News Service
Jammu/New Delhi
The State Tribal Affairs Department, in coordination with Jammu and Kashmir Police, Forest Department, and Census Operations Department, on Tuesday. Finalized the modalities for Smart Cards provided to Transhumant tribal families for hassle-free movement during migration and access to services.
The Smart Cards planned to replace the multiple permissions regime and offer a unified central database to all organizations. Agencies for smooth and hassle-free movement of Transhumant families during the biannual vertical migration. Embedded with a chip containing the demographic details, transit routes, originating place, destination, and other vital statistics. These Smart Cards will end the process of multiple permissions. These cards also utilized for various government services rolled out of migratory population and issued based on the survey conducted by the department last year.
The meeting to finalise the design and contents of the Smart Cards was chaired by Tribal Affairs Secretary Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary. A detailed presentation was made about the survey of migratory population and planned interventions in various sectors.
Director, Census Operations, G Prasanna Ramaswamy, Chief Conservator of Forests, Samuel Chankija, Director Tribal Affairs Mushir Ahmed Mirza, Secretary. Advisory Board, Mukhtar Ahmed, Superintendent of Police, Hafizullah, Jt Director Planning Shama un Ahmed, OSD Dr. Abdul Khabir and other senior officers and members of the UT level Committee attended the meeting.
Chief Conservator of Forests, Samuel Chankija discussed that in view of implementing The Scheduled Tribes and OTFD (Recognition of Rights) Act. The forest department is endeavoring for a hassle-free process and suggested multiple card issuance points. Access will also be provided to forest dept for monitoring the process and also surveys related to management of rangelands.
The suggestion made by Police department for mapping of respective police stations also included in the process. Access is provided to all the police stations enabling real-time updating of demographic details whenever required by the family. Android devices and card readers also provided to all nakas and posts of both police and forest Department for smooth movement of families.
Director, Census Operations J&K, discussed coordination with Tribal Affairs Department for coverage of all Dhoks (high land pastures) in Census to avoid missing any families or members. The Indian Tribal News in Jammu & Kashmir knows how hard for the tribe to move forest during this time.
The 1st Survey of Transhumant Population conducted by the Tribal Affairs Department also referred to source for planning the Census Operations.
The Tribal Research Institute, established as an autonomous body in the Tribal Affairs Department, will coordinate for preparedness of various plans in this regard. Read more about The Indian Tribal News in Jammu & Kashmir on our website.
