The Government of India has significantly increased its investment in Jammu & Kashmir’s tribal welfare and nutrition initiatives for the fiscal year 2023-24, allocating over Rs 1,636 crore under two major programs: Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST) and Mission Poshan 2.0. These efforts underscore the Government’s commitment to improving the socio-economic conditions of tribals and nutritional standards in the Union Territory.
This came to the fore from the replies made by Minister of State (MoS) for Tribal Affairs Durgadas Uikey and Minister of State in the Minister of Women and Child Development Savitri Thakur in response to different questions in the Parliament today
The MoS Tribal Affairs informed the Parliament that in the fiscal year 2023-24, Rs 1106.11 crore was released under the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST) for J&K, marking a substantial increase from previous years. This allocation highlights the Government’s focus on enhancing the welfare of Scheduled Tribes in the Union Territory, with funding rising steadily from Rs 617.04 crore in 2019-20 to the current Rs 1106.11 crore.
“The funds, allocated by 41 Ministries and Departments, are directed toward various sectors, including education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, electrification, skill development, and employment generation,” the MoS said and highlighted that fund disbursement is based on proposals submitted by States and Union Territories, with allocations sourced from the STC MIS Portal.
In parallel, the Union Territory of J&K has also seen steady progress under Mission Poshan 2.0, a restructured initiative aimed at combating malnutrition across India. As per the information provided by MoS Women and Child Development in Parliament, J&K received Rs 530.88 crore under the program in 2023-24, up from Rs 479.01 crore in 2022-23 and Rs 405.74 crore in 2021-22. The Mission, launched in 2018 and integrated under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, addresses nutrition and child development by combining various Government schemes. The funds are allocated based on financial needs, expenditure reports, and adherence to program guidelines.
J&K’s efforts in implementing Mission Poshan 2.0 have positively impacted 8,25,993 beneficiaries in 2023-24, including children (0-6 years), pregnant women, lactating mothers, and adolescent girls. While the number of beneficiaries has slightly declined from 8,28,512 in 2023 and 8,41,588 in 2022, the Union Territory continues to prioritize health and nutrition.
Nationwide, Mission Poshan 2.0 reflects the Government’s commitment to eliminating malnutrition, with a financial outlay of Rs 1,81,703 crore over five years (2021-26). This includes Rs 1,02,031 crore from the Central Government and Rs 79,672 crore from the states. J&K’s consistent funding and sustained focus on tribal welfare and nutrition underscore its developmental agenda, ensuring a brighter and healthier future for its most vulnerable communities.
