Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 24: The Gujjars of Jammu and Kashmir today stressed upon the Government to conduct a comprehensive survey on the socio-economic status of nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes of the State and categorize them as ‘Below Poverty Line’ wherever they qualify on the merits under the scheme.
The community members were speaking in a programme orgainsed by Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation, held here on the topic ‘Issues of nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes of Jammu and Kashimir -with special focus on Gujjars, Bakerwals’. The event was presided over by noted Gujjar scholar Dr Javaid Rahi while it was attended by the tribal students, scholars and elders.
Dr Javaid Rahi, in his presidential address, stated that it is extremely unfortunate that a large number of nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes had remained out of the purview of social security schemes launched by Government of India and the State Government from time to time due to lack of awareness amongst them. To address these issues, an exclusive socio-economic survey of nomadic and semi-nomadic community be conducted, he said. He further suggested that ground measures are required to enrol nomadic and semi-nomadic Gujjars and Bakerwals after an exclusive survey which in result enables tribal to get social security schemes and grant of BPL and other mobile cards.
He stressed, that an exclusive survey on the issue of ‘access of tribes to health services’ is also required to address their health issues including women and child health , malnutrition, immunization, elders health and others ailments. He said initiatives are required to tackle fast growing problem of TB among nomadic tribes as they use low height houses and share their habitat with their animals.
Speaking about drop-out rate, which is extremely high among nomadic Gujjar and Bakerwal school going children, he said tribal children, who had remained out of schools must be taken back to the fold of education system by utilizing the funds available under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and other schemes.
He further stressed that animal healthcare must be made a thrust areas for tribal development.
Those who spoke, included Nawaz Choudhary, Naveed Chowdhary, Amir Ali, M S Dhakkad, Kher-ud-Din Chowdhary, Noushad Chowdhary and others.
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