Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 9: In a significant move , the Scheduled Tribes Gujjars-Bakerwals of Jammu and Kashmir today demanded the status of “Primitive Tribal Group” in the State with a separate share of reservation in the category.
The demand has been projected in a memorandum, which was sent to Prime Minister of India Dr Manmohan Singh through Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation -a frontal organization of Gujjars today. The community pleaded that they should be fortified with more special rights and extra constitutional safeguards in the State.
Dr Javaid Rahi, Secretary of Tribal Foundation said, “We have pleaded that the Gujjars and Bakerwals constitute 80% of tribal population of Jammu and Kashmir and being marginalized among STs they deserve special attention and a fair deal”.
The memo reads, as per Constitution of India, under the Scheduled Tribe category who were identified as more backward communities among the tribal population groups have been categorized as ‘Primitive Tribal Groups’ (PTGs) by the Government at the Centre and their share in reservation has bifurcated from other STs enabling them to grow independently . So far eighty five tribal communities have been identified as PGTs in different States of India.
Justifying the demand -the memorandum said that Gujjars -Bakerwals deserved to be categorised under PTGs category as their sizeable population lives in cloistered, exclusive, remote and inhospitable areas such as hills and forests , the memorandum reads.
Highlighting their Backwardness, the memorandum said their livelihood is based on primitive agriculture, a low-value closed economy with a low level of technology that leads to their poverty. They have low levels of literacy and health.
About their distinctive culture and language , the communication said, the Gujjar community has developed its own distinctive culture and language.
As they are fulfilling all requisite formalities, they should be categorized under ‘Primitive Tribal Groups’ of India on priority, the communication asserted.
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