Gujjar delegation meets Tribal Affair Minister, projects demands

Dr Javaid Rahi and Ch Sarwar Chouhan presenting memorandum to Union Tribal Affair Minister, Arjun Munda in Jammu.
Dr Javaid Rahi and Ch Sarwar Chouhan presenting memorandum to Union Tribal Affair Minister, Arjun Munda in Jammu.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 21: A delegation of Gujjar of Jammu and Kashmir today met Arjun Munda , Union Minister for Tribal Affairs during his public outreach programme and submitted a memorandum highlighting the issues and problems being faced by the scheduled tribe communities of Union Territory and demanded immediate redresses.
Dr. Javaid Rahi- noted tribal researcher and Ch Ghulam Sarwar Chouhan President of Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation presented him a memorandum and during an hour long meeting, held at Airport here this afternoon , discussed socio-cultural , economic, educational issues besides rehabilitation of tribes of Jammu and Kashmir
The minister was informed that Gujjars and Bakerwals together constitute a more than 80% proportion of tribal population of Jammu and Kashmir. They faced a gross discrimination since last 72 years in education, recruitment and promotions in Government jobs, postings of officers, socio-economic development, political representation and now they deserves a fair deal from Government of India in new J&K.
The demands projected before the minister included immediate implementation of Conservation Act-1980 and Forest Rights Act-2006 to rehabilitate nomads/ Forest Dwellers and recognise habitation of ‘Forest Villages of J&K on the prototype of other States/UTs.
Demand of implementation of reservation /roster in recruitment and grant of ‘Reservation in promotions’ to Scheduled Tribes employees was projected before the minister and sought his intervention to get the both implemented in J&K.
Other demands projected were establishment of Akleviya Model school for tribes in each Tehsil/ District of J&K, inclusion of Gojri in 8th Schedule , funds for tribal villages in 100% ST population , political reservation in Assembly constituencies where STs (Gujjars) constitute 25 to 80 percent of franchise, special recruitment for tribal youth of J&K , strengthening of tribal Department of J&K with funding in each sector.
The Minister assured that his ministry will issue a notification shortly with regard to implementation of Forest Right Act-2006 and Conservation Act 1980 in J&K. He further assured that he will take up all the demands highlighted with Ministry of Home Affair and UT Government of J&K.

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