Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 18: The Gujjars of Jammu and Kashmir today demanded immediate elevation of the post of Vice Chairman State Advisory Board for development of Gujjars and Bakerwal to the Cabinet rank. They also demanded more powers for board –a Government body established to look after the Gujjar affairs in the State.
These demands were highlighted in a community gathering organised by J&K Gujjar Bakerwal Joint Forum, here under the chairmanship of its State president Haji Shamsheer Ali Boken.
A number of tribal leaders, Panchs and Sarpanchs of Gujjar Bakerwal community participated in this meet.
Reacting on the elevation of the post of vice chairman of Pahari Advisory Board to the Cabinet rank by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah yesterday to adjust the NC leader and party MLA from Karnah, Kafeel-ur-Rehman, the speakers stated that Vice Chairman of Gujjar Board who has been treated equivalent to Minister of State status should be immediately elevated at par with VC of Pahari Board.
“This is a grave injustice with the community said Haji Shamsheer Ali Bokan and added that Gujjar Board was the oldest Board of the State established in 1974 as compared to Pahari Board which was established 21 year later in 1995.He said that community will not tolerate this disparity.
The community leader also made an appeal to UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi to intervene in the matter. Haji said a delegation of prominent Gujjars, Bakerwals of J&K will soon visit New Delhi and meet central leadership in this regard.
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