Excelsior Correspondent
POONCH, Jan 23: Former Minister and senior PDP leader said that the Pahari speaking people residing in hilly, remote areas border districts of Rajouri, Poonch, Bramulla, Kupwara and Shopian are demanding for the last 60 years that they should also be given (ST) status as was given to the Gujjar community residing with them by then Chander Shekhar Government.
In a press statement here Khan said during past, several Prime Ministers of India assure d that Paharis will be given (ST) status but nothing happened. So many groups and committees were constituted which recommended Tribal status to the Pahari speaking people.
Late Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the then Prime Minister during his Uri-Karnah visit had also agreed that his Government will accord ST status to the Pahari’s on the conditions of their sufferings, geographical and backwardness. He had also written a letter to Union Social Welfare Minister to take immediate decision but it remained in papers only.
Modi Government also agreed in its Agenda of Alliance for tribal status to the Pahari peoples and State Assembly also recommended the same in a resolution to the Government of India. Some of the Agenda items were implemented in the State but this item is still pending for its consideration and announcement.
Rafiq Khan urged upon the Prime Minister to keep promise before next General Elections by bringing an ordinance.
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