Union Home Ministry moves memo
*Paharis, Valmikis, OBCs, others to benefit
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Dec 17: The Union Cabinet is likely to approve reservation for Pahari Ethnic Tribes, Padari Tribe, Koli and Gadda Brahmans as Scheduled Tribes, Valmikis who migrated from Punjab here in fifties as Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in its next Cabinet meeting scheduled for next Wednesday or Friday after which a bill for amendment in the Reservation Act will be moved in ongoing session of the Parliament.
Official sources told the Excelsior that a detailed Cabinet memo has been drafted by the Home Ministry and sent for approval of the Cabinet meeting which is scheduled to take place next week either on Wednesday or Friday under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Generally, the Cabinet meets every Wednesday but since the Parliament is in session and if the schedule is hectic on Wednesday, it would meet on Friday.
“After nod from Jammu and Kashmir Government, concerned Commissions and Union Ministries, the Union Home Ministry has drafted the memo and sent it for Cabinet approval,” the sources said.
After approval, the Ministry will move Reservation Amendment Bill in both Houses of Parliament. After the bill is passed by both the Houses, the President of India will approve the proposal and reservation will come into effect.
An announcement for bringing Pahari Ethnic Tribe under Scheduled Tribes was first made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in his rallies at Rajouri and Baramulla on October 4 and 5 this year. The reservation was based on recommendations of GD Sharma Commission report.
The Home Minister had, however, made it clear that grant of reservation to Paharis under ST category will not dilute the reservation already granted under this category to Gujjars and Bakerwals.
Other Backward Classes (OBCs) will be extended reservation in Jammu and Kashmir for the first time. They don’t have reservation in J&K so far. However, Other Social Castes (OSCs) have been granted reservation of four percent in the Union Territory.
At national level as well as in many other States and UTs, the OBCs have been given 27 percent reservation.
However, for Jammu and Kashmir, percentage of reservation for OBCs will be decided by the Union Cabinet, sources said.
A sizeable population of Valmikis was also denied reservation in SC category as they were not given State Subject rights in view of Article 370 due to their migration from Punjab. They will be included in the SC category now.
Sources said separate amendment in Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act is also likely to be moved in the Parliament granting reservation of two seats to Kashmiri Pandits (KPs) in the Legislative Assembly based on recommendations of the Delimitation Commission.
The Panel headed by Justice (Retired) Ranjana Prakash Desai had also suggested that the Centre can consider reservation for Pakistan occupied Jammu Kashmir (PoJK) refugees.
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