Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 5: To address critical issues affecting Pahari students, including the non-disbursement of scholarships, the Pahari Tribe ST Forum today announced the formation of a student advocacy wing.
The Social Welfare Department took over the process from the Pahari Advisory Board two years back.
The announcement in this regard was made by the members of Forum in a press conference held here today.
To strengthen advocacy, the Forum appointed Adv Waqar Shah as its president, tasked with addressing these systemic challenges and ensuring equitable access to education and welfare schemes for the Pahari community.
They also urged the Government to release pending scholarships and restore the Advisory Board’s authority to streamline future payments.
Members highlighted the urgent need to expand Pahari hostels, whose intake capacity has remained stagnant at 750 students for 15 years, disproportionately affecting marginalized students.
Forum members, including state coordinator Vikrant Sharma and senior members Bharat Vaid, Hamid Malik, Rajinder Sharma, Dr Nitan, Nadeem Mir and Shafait Shah were also present during the conference.
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