JAMMU : Minister for Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs Choudhary Zulfkar Ali today said the government is keen on rehabilitation of JK’s tribal population and is formulating a policy in this regard.
The Minister said this while addressing tribal leaders at Gujjar-Bakerwal Conference, held here at Gandhi Bhawan. MLA Choudhary Qamar Hussain was also present in the function.
Speaking on the occasion, Choudhary Zulfkar Ali said the present dispensation is serious towards welfare and development of every community, including Gujjar-Bakerwal.
To exhibit its seriousness, the Minister said government has even constituted a committee which is presently working on formulation of a rehabilitation policy for State’s tribal population.
Giving credit to Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti for the initiative, the Minister said that CM is keen for the welfare and uplift of everyone in the State, especially the people living in far flung areas. He said the Chief Minister has a considerate approach towards the development of the State’s tribal population as she understands the difficulties they are facing in their daily lives.
He also informed the gathering that keeping plight of nomads in mind, the Government would soon bring out a “nomadic ration policy” which would end the food problems of the population, they face every time they move.
Choudhary Zulfkar Ali asked the tribal community to be aware of the bad elements in the society. The Minister said it is important that both Gujjars and Bakerwals maintain harmony, and remain alert from those who with their nefarious designs want to create a wedge in the community.
Highlighting the importance of Gujjar-Bakerwal Conference, the Minister said the conference is a social organization that needs to work towards weeding out various social menaces creeping in the community.
He said although the Government recently issued a “Guest Control Order”, however, the onus of its strict implementation lies within the community and on the conference members.
Emphasizing on the importance of education, the Minister said a community can never prosper if it deprives itself from the wealth of knowledge. He said the knowledge makes you aware with various opportunities that are there to develop an individual and the community. The Minister said the community in general, and the conference members in particular need to ensure that its youth, including female folk are receiving good education.
He attributed Gujjar-Bakerwal Conference as a “good platform” and said through the conference, issues of great importance for the community could strongly be projected.
The Minister said State’s tribal population is a “strong” community and its youth are its strength, and asked the conference members to ensure that the community’s young population is not getting affected with the drug menace. He said every possible step should be taken to prevent the young generation of the community for falling prey to the menace of drugs.
Calling for preserving state’s tribal culture, he said Gujjar-Bakerwals have beautiful culture of their own, and instead of following a foreign, it is better to preserve its own.
Speaking on the occasion, MLA Choudhary Qamar Hussain said that the serious of the government toward the betterment of the tribal community is depicted by the fact that it formulated a tribal welfare department to address issues of the community.
President, J&K Gujjar-Bakerwal Conference Mohammad Yusuf, General Secretary, J&K Gujjar-Bakerwal Conference Yaseen Poswal, Secretary, J&K Gujjar-Bakerwal Conference Sirajjudin, senior tribal leader Hussain Ali Wafa, tribal leaders Javaid Choudhary, Zakir Choudhary, Shafi Chehi, Nazakat Khatana, Choudhary Salamuddin, Choudhary Assad Nomani, Mohammad Hussain, madam Zahid, and other tribal leaders attended the conference.
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