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Shimla, Oct 19 (IANS) The Himachal Pradesh government has given impetus to tribal development with an investment of over Rs 3,000 crore in the state in the last two-and-a-half years, government officials said on Sunday.
An official statement said the intervention has directly benefited over 35,000 tribal families through improved infrastructure, increased access to education and healthcare, livelihood generation programs and improved social services.
New roads, bridges, residential schools, health facilities and community-based interventions are continuously changing the socio-economic landscape in the state.
The Tribal Area Development Program is implemented on a strong financial footing with budgetary provisions of Rs 855 crore in 2022-23, Rs 857.14 crore in 2023-24, Rs 890.28 crore in 2024-25 and Rs 638.73 crore proposed for 2025-26.
Major civil works, including roads, bridges, transport infrastructure and public buildings, cost Rs 290.58 crore in 2022-23, Rs 287.99 crore in 2023-24 and Rs 62.92 crore in 2024-25, with Rs 125.06 crore allocated for 2025-26.
Recognizing the challenge of service delivery in high altitude and sparsely populated areas, the State Government has strengthened basic public services in remote villages.
Health sub-centres have been upgraded, mobile outreach and referral units have been deployed, while drinking water and electricity supplies have been made more reliable.
The statement said livelihood support linked to horticulture, animal husbandry and value addition of local produce has helped stabilize the income of tribal families.
Under the Vibrant Village Programme, 75 border hamlets in Kinnaur, Pooh and Spiti have been mapped and development plans have been prepared to strengthen infrastructure, social services and economic opportunities in the border areas.
Work on connectivity, housing and community assets has started in these villages.
Education has been another area of priority.
The four Eklavya Model Residential Schools in Nichar, Bharmour, Pangi and Lahaul are currently hosting 1,008 students, with 150 new school admissions in Class 6 every year.
Construction of new school and hostel complexes at Pangi and Lahaul is underway with Rs 2 crore and Rs 1.90 crore respectively already released.
The state government has also surpassed its target under the 20-point programme, while the target was to cover 7,502 families in 2022-23 and 8,598 families in 2023-24.
Similarly, 12,663 households were covered against the target of 6,573 in 2024-25, which is almost double the target.
6,314 families are targeted for 2025-26.
–IANS
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