Excelsior Correspondent
POONCH Feb 8: Shamsher Hakla Poonchi a prominent Gujjar leader and intellectual has urged the Government to take concrete steps for the welfare and upliftment of Gujjar Bakarwals of J&K which will ensure all round development of the UT.
He said the Tribe mostly lives in hilly and far flung areas near LoC and border and these areas lack road communication, water supply electricity, schools and hospitals.
He said that the half settled and unsettled Nomadic Gujjars and Bakarwals along with their belongings, families and cattle go to the hills and mountains (Dhoks) for grazing their animals for six months of the year.
Hakla said the unsettled Gujjars and Bakarwals are educationally, economically, socially and politically backward and appealed to the Government of India to sanction the special package and make the policy for the permanent settlement and welfare of unsettled Nomadic people.
He urged the GoI to sanction a special developmental package for these people which provides them basic amenities of life.
Hakla also urged GoI to establish a Tribal Development Council in J&K with the financial and developmental power for development and welfare of Gujjar Bakarwal Community.
He demanded for opening of boarding schools in all the districts of J&K on the pattern of Nodya Vidyalaya for boys and girls the community besides stressed on inclusion of Gojri in 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution and establishment of Tribal University in J&K.
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