NCST Chairman Meets Governor To Discuss Himachal Tribal Area Progress

Shimla: The Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), Antar Singh Arya, paid a formal courtesy call on Governor Kavinder Gupta at the Lok Bhavan today. The high-level meeting took place against the backdrop of the Commission's extensive two-day review tour of Himachal Pradesh to evaluate the ongoing welfare initiatives aimed at indigenous communities.

Accompanied by prominent NCST members, including Nirupam Chakma and Dr. Asha Lakra, as well as Joint Secretary Amit Nirmaj and regional directors, Chairman Arya briefed the Governor on the Commission's field assessments. The delegation shared insights from their high-level interactions with state department heads and local tribal youth forums representing diverse indigenous populations, such as the Gaddi, Gujjar, Kinnaura, and Hatti communities.

During the dialogue, the Chairman highlighted the distinct challenges faced by communities living in geographically isolated territories like Lahaul-Spiti and the Pangi Valley, where harsh weather and rugged topography complicate standard administrative outreach. Despite these significant logistical hurdles, the Commission expressed satisfaction with the state’s commendable performance in expanding critical rural infrastructure, stabilizing the localized power grid, and providing health screening coverage across remote tribal belts.

The Governor welcomed the Commission's feedback, emphasizing that the socio-economic empowerment of Scheduled Tribes remains a core administrative priority. He stressed the importance of utilizing modern digital delivery systems to ensure that Central and state-sponsored benefits reach eligible grassroots families transparently and without bureaucratic friction.

The meeting concluded on a collaborative note, with both dignitaries reaffirming their shared institutional commitment to securing constitutional safeguards, resolving pending land rights under the Forest Rights Act, and accelerating sustainable development projects to uplift marginalized border populations.