Tribune News Service
Shimla, June 20

Mr S.K. Naik, Secretary, Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs, has lauded the work executed by different departments under various welfare schemes in the Spiti valley. Presiding over a review meeting of the tribal sub-plan at Kaza yesterday, Mr Naik expressed satisfaction over the development works carried out in Spiti valley of Lahaul-Spiti district. He also reviewed physical and financial targets fixed under the schemes and appreciated the work done by the department despite difficult topography and climatic conditions of the areas and the short working season.

Mr Subhash Negi, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Tribal Development, said over Rs 19.53 crore were being spent under the tribal sub-plan and Rs 52.04 lakh under special central assistance to Spiti during the current financial year. Later, Mr Naik also inspected various ongoing development schemes in the Spiti valley. Meanwhile, a delegation from the Spiti and Kinnaur areas comprising pradhans and ex-pradhans, progressive farmers led by Mr P.S. Negi, Financial Commissioner (retd), met the Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, here yesterday and thanked him for accelerating the development in tribal areas and creating infrastructural facilities in Spiti and Kinnaur and in other tribal areas of the state during the past three years.

The delegation thanked the Chief Minister for creation of tribal sub cadre by the present government which had solved the problem of staff to a great extent and requested to fill the remaining vacancies in education and health institutions in Spiti and Kinnaur.