Uplifting weaker sections

The Constitution of the J&K State and the Directive Principles of the Union of India, both expressly lay down that the State will work towards the uplift of economically weaker and socially deprived sections of people. This principle has commanded respect of all Governments at the Centre and the State irrespective of their ideology and policy. A number of institutions have come up that are directly or indirectly contributing to the uplift of these sections. We appreciate their contribution and sense of national building. The crucial question in the overall policy of lifting the downtrodden classes is the identification of the classes for uplifting. Just to say economically weaker and socially deprived does not identify the groups. Consequently, the Governments at the Centre and at the State have laid down certain criterion for including or excluding groups into the category of weaker sections of society. In this context, the groups of Gujjars and Bakarwals in Jammu and Kashmir have been identified as the weaker sections and backward groups by implication. Hence, when we are considering the improvement of the lot of the backward classes, Gujjars and Bakarwals will have to become the beneficiaries of any improvement schemes before anybody else.
The Gujjars and Bakarwals form a vast community that has remained neglected for many centuries. However, in a welfare state, the Government now cares for them. It is the policy of the Government to provide them all facilities, medical support, education, welfare schemes, etc. to give them the feeling of being part of the larger society. The Government is seized of the welfare of these people, yet much more remains to do. Speaking at the 34th meeting of the State Advisory Board for Development of Gujjar & Bakarwals community, at SKICC in Srinagar, Chief Minister Mufti Sayeed made a number of announcements leading to the improvement and uplift of the Gujjars and Bakarwals.  A significant announcement was that the State would be incepting a separate Tribal Affairs Ministry to ensure empowerment of weaker sections, especially Gujjars & Bakarwals. Though the terms of reference of this Ministry are not yet pronounced, nevertheless it is obvious that it will handle all developmental programmes concerning these sections. It is very significant to have an exclusive Ministry for these groups. Among other concessions allowed to these weaker sections are budgetary allocations for the proposed Ministry of Tribal Affairs. Education remaining the key to all-sided development, the CM announced setting of two girls’ hostels at Udhampur and Kupwara districts. He also passed directions for upgrading GB schools at Srinagar and Jammu as institutes of excellence, on the pattern of Model School Scheme in the Education Department. He also announced enhancement of food stipend in hostels for schoolchildren from Rs. 50 to Rs. 100, and stressed upon improving the dilapidated condition of existing hostels. Calling upon hassle-free movement of livestock and nomadic Gujjars, Mufti Sayeed announced distribution of nearly 10,000 solar lights amongst the community who do not have access to electricity. He also said the Government would consider extending guarantee to SC/ST Corporation to avail bank finance for alleviation of the socially weaker community.
We welcome Government’s positive policy towards the improvement of the lot of Gujjars and Bakarwals. They have suffered isolation for a long time. Besides economic empowerment, the Gujjars also need political empowerment and special consideration so that they become an asset to the society. They have made very sensible demands like inclusion of Gojri language in the VIII Schedule of the Constitution, setting up of model villages, construction of dwelling units, free vaccination for animals, mobile livestock and healthcare centres for nomadic population, availability of power and water and proper road connectivity concerning the community etc. These are normal services, and we hope the Government will be inclined to concede these demands as genuine and worth considering.

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