Matter recommended to Tribal Affairs Ministry
*They figure in Justice Sharma Comm’s report
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Oct 20: Based on recommendations of Justice GD Sharma Committee report, the Government has also added Paddari Tribe and Koli & Gadda Brahman for accord of Scheduled Tribes (ST) status along with Pahari Ethnic Tribe. Their inclusion in the ST status has been recommended to the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
Official sources told the Excelsior that the Government based on Justice Sharma Panel’s recommendations has now recommended a total of three categories for conferment of Scheduled Tribe status. They include Pahari Ethnic Tribe (Pahari Kabeela), Paddari Tribe and Koli & Gadda Brahman.
“The recommendations have reached the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs,” they said.
Gujjars and Bakerwals in Jammu and Kashmir already enjoyed ST status in Jammu and Kashmir.
Paddari tribe is settled mostly in Paddar area of Kishtwar district which is one of the remotest areas in erstwhile Doda district, sources said. However, Koli & Gadda Brahmans are spread in different areas.
The Delimitation Commission set up for Jammu and Kashmir by the Union Ministry of Law and Justice and headed by Justice (Retired) Ranjana Prakash Desai has also created a separate Assembly constituency of Paddar in Kishtwar district.
“There are a total of 744 Castes categorized as Scheduled Tribes across the country. With four more inclusions from Jammu and Kashmir, two in North East and one of Himachal Pradesh, total number of castes as STs will cross 750,” sources said.
However, the things will take a little time as the Tribal Ministry and Registrar General of India will have to draft detailed notes and finally the matter will be put before the Union Cabinet for approval.
Later, the Parliament will have to carry out an amendment in the Reservation Act to include new Castes in the Scheduled Tribe category.
During his visit to Jammu and Kashmir from October 3-5, Union Minister for Home and Cooperation Amit Shah had announced that recommendations of Justice GD Sharma Panel have been received by the Government and that Gujjars, Bakerwals and Paharis will get the benefits but rights of no one will be diluted.
The STs have 10 percent reservations in Jammu and Kashmir which might go up. Nine seats in 90-member Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir have been reserved for the STs. Five seats are reserved for STs in Jammu division and four in Kashmir.
The STs enjoyed reservation in jobs, education etc, but they were denied political reservations in Jammu and Kashmir for a long time though such a reservation existed in Lok Sabha and Assemblies across the country. This was, however, after abrogation of special status of Jammu and Kashmir in August 5, 2019 that the Government extended political reservations to STs in J&K.
The Scheduled Castes have eight percent reservations in the Union Territory and, for them, seven seats, like earlier, are reserved in the Legislative Assembly. However, out of five, no Lok Sabha seat in J&K is reserved.
Sources expressed confidence that the bill to amend Reservation Act in Parliament to grant ST status to Pahari Ethnic Tribe (Pahari Kabeela), Paddari Tribe and Koli & Gadda Brahman could come up during winter session of Parliament in November-December if all formalities are completed by then.
“The Parliament has to take final call on grant of Scheduled Tribe status. However, since the BJP, which is pushing for ST status to Paharis and others enjoy majority in the Parliament, there will not be much problems for the Government to get the bill through. Moreover, no political party has opposed grant of ST status to Paharis and others,” sources pointed out.
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