Give Batwals due share: Lakhotra

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 17: Jammu and Kashmir Batwal Welfare Association today demanded that the community be given its due share in all spheres of life.
Talking to reporters here, the president of the Association, Sat Pal Lakhotra said that the Batwals’ community which has highest population among the Schedule Castes (SCs) has been totally neglected by the Government at all levels and this has been reason of their backwardness and abject poverty.
Lakhotra said the community has not been given any representation in Rajya Sabha, State Legislative Council, State Development Board and District Development Boards though other SC communities rotationally availed this opportunity. He demanded that the Batwal community be also given an opportunity to represent their community in these bodies.
He said even the reservation benefits are taken by those SCs who are politically well established at the cost of Batwal Community. This is the reason that well educated boys and girls of the community are still hankering for jobs as they do not have the political support.
Lakhotra demanded to settle the grievances of Batwal community the Government should divide 13 Schedule Castes into sub groups with each block given their due hare of the quota. In this regard he stressed on amendment in J&K SC Reservation Act 2004 and Article 340 of the Constitution of India.
The other demands highlighted by him included allotment of piece of land to community at Jammu for construction of community Hall announcement of special economic package for the community by GOI with implementation of survey report by Planning Commission of India and completion of development works of Shahzadpur Maratta in Marh block.
On the occasion Mr Lakhotra nominated Kalmosh Mottan a senior vice president of the Association.
Dr Ramesh Kaith, Capt (retd) Om Parkash Tugga , Joginder Lakhotra, Capt (retd) Raj Kumar Kaith and Capt (retd) Kamal Chand Motan were among others present in press conference.