Excelsior Correspondent
BHADERWAH, Mar 31: A delegation of “All J&K Gaddi Sippi Tribes Welfare Association” (GSTWA) led by its State president Parveen Jaryal called on Bali Bhagat, Minister for Social Welfare, at Civil Secretariat here today.
On this occasion, Jaryal urged the Minister for establishment of Gaddi Sippi Hostels and an Advisory Board for Development of Gaddi and Sippi tribes on the pattern of Gujjar Bakerwal hostels and Gujjar Bakerwal Advisory Board respectively.
He stated that like Gujjar and Bakerwals, Gaddi and Sippi communities are also enjoying ST status and since 1991 and are also semi nomadic transhumant tribes who undergo seasonal migration with their livestock from hills to plains during winter and plains to hills during summer in order to elude (escape) harsh weather conditions and to facilitate grazing of their live stock. Like Gujjar and Bakerwals, Gadddi and Sippi tribes inhabit hilly terrains, have their own tribal language, culture, profession and costume and are facing same socio economic hardships.
He lamented that the successive State Governments have created a communal wedge between Gujjar Bakerwals and Gaddi Sippi Tribes by making special provisions for welfare of the former and ignoring the latter in all spheres of development despite the fact that all these communities have same constitutional status and have similar life style.
On this occasion, Jaryal also demanded abolition of all sub categories of ST category viz. STGB, STK, STL and STO in the State so as to ensure equal treatment to all ethnic groups enjoying ST status. He also exhorted upon the minister to restart of pre matric scholarship under ST category in favour of Gaddi Sippi (ST) students which has been stopped by State Government since the year 2008 for the reasons best known to the Government.
Bhagat gave a patient hearing to the delegates and assured them that their grievances shall be considered by the Government sympathetically for redressal. Prominent present included Shankar Chand (district president Udhampur), Sarpanch Khem Raj, Om Prakash, Sunil Katoch, etc.
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