'Mission Kotda is trying to put an end to trafficking, child labour in tribal belt'

JAIPUR: Recognizing problems of access and lack of employment opportunities, the Udaipur district administration started Mission Kotda February this year, which primarily focuses on improving implementation of existing schemes of the state government.
Officials said that it was noticed that in Kotda block, implementation of government schemes was poor which led to a gap analysis on what the problems or hindrances are; which led to starting Mission Kotda.
The main push has been on implementation of Palanhaar Yojana, wherein orphans, children of Nata families among others are registered who get monthly allowance ranging from Rs 1500-2500 from the state government, so that child labour can be stopped.
Tara Chand Meena, district collector Udaipur said that the administration is working to reach out to locals with existing government schemes and ensure that more and more people get the benefits.
The district administration has two buses, Gatiman, which have computers or laptops with internet connectivity available, being run across the remote areas of the block, so that residents can be registered for different government schemes on the spot.
"The district administration has started three buses from the district headquarters till Kotda block so that connectivity can be improved. We are working to promote marketing of agricultural products, for which 13 forest produce processing centers have been sanctioned to generate employment in the region. The district administration also set up a Krishi Upaj Mandi at the block headquarters, where agricultural produce from different villages can be sold," said Meena.
At the forest produce processing centers being set up in the area, 300 women from self-help groups will be given work, said officials. At these centers, the authorities are planning to process items like custard apple, wild honey, juice from Java plum, jaggery from dates, and mango during the season.
Listing the steps taken to develop the remote block of Kotda, the district collector said that a 132 KV power substation has also been approved to improve electricity facilities in the villages along with laying of fiber lines to improve internet connectivity.
The district administration is also planning to set up an industrial area, which has been sanctioned by the state government and a proposal has been sent for allotment of land.
"In these areas, the agriculture holdings are very small and employment opportunities are scarce; there is no industry or work through the hospitality industry. We are trying to develop certain places as tourist destinations.
This year during the Adi Mahotsav, around 1000 tourists had visited Kotda during the two-day festival. We are planning more such initiatives for the region so that people visit these places which will help the local economy grow," added Meena.
The district administration is also planning to start archery academies in the Kotda and Jhadol for girls and boys respectively, to encourage the young to get into sports along with education, "as tribals are traditionally good with archery".
To ensure that children go to schools, 25 RO plants have been installed in schools, toilets were constructed and hostels for students have also been made in the block. In the block, 11 sports grounds have also been sanctioned by the state government to motivate youth to get into sports and carve out a career in that direction.
"Parents want to send their children to schools and that is why the infrastructure at education institutes is being upgraded which will attract children and they would want to stay in school. We have almost 5000 students staying in different hostels," he said.