Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 28: Prominent Gujjar leaders, social activists and Panchs and Sarpanchs have demanded political reservation for the community in the State Legislature.
The issue was strongly raised during one day convention of the Gujjars held here today under the chairmanship of Ch Shah Mohd (advocate), president J&K Gujjars United Front. The community leaders gave a clarion call to launch a sustained struggle for their long over-due political, social, economic and cultural rights in the State.
This convention was organized in the backdrop of the deteriorating political and economic profile of Gujjars and their complete absence from the political and administrative priorities of the Government.
The Gujjar leaders identified some major areas for sustained struggle and discussed the present political, economic and social scenario of the community. The issues raised included political reservation, representation in PSC and SSRB besides proper utilization of funds under Tribal Sub Plan.
The Front leader called upon all the political parties to give due priority to numerical position, historical legacy and contemporary concerns of Gujjars and Bakerwals in the State. He asked for removing imbalances in the recruitments and promotions to various State services and called for due representation to community in the Public Service Commission and the SSRB. The GUF leader stressed that special Central assistance under TSP should be adhered strictly as per provisions.
In order to safeguard and protect the interests of tribal communities, the leaders urged on the Central Government to direct the State to create specially a dedicated Ministry of Tribal Affairs in the State. They also asked for revival and strengthening of mobile schools, immediate introduction of departments of Gojri in both the Universities of State and two Central Universities and open a Tribal university. They also demanded special recruitment drive for the community youth in police and other departments.
Prominent among others present included Hakim Ali, Mohd Hussain Ex-MLC, Hussain Mohd, Noor Hussain, Dr Gafoor Ahmed, Deedar Hussain, Jamat Ali, Ch Noor Ali, Ch Mohd Aslam, Ch Nadeem Ahmed and Ch Bashir Ahmed.
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