JK News Today
Jammu, December 19 ( JKNT)
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has promised doubling of efforts to get Scheduled Tribe status for Pahari speaking people in Jammu and Kashmir , a long pending demand of the people mostly concentrated in the border belts of this state.
Pahari speaking people have been alleging injustice to them as they were denied ST status when it was granted to Gujjars and Bakerwals and the tribes of Ladakh by the Indira Gandhi government. Paharis have been reasoning out that they suffer similar backwardness and illiteracy as do Gujjars in the geographical locations inhabited by both the communities, then why should they be denied this facility.
The S T status entail reservation in government jobs and professional institutions apart from better educational facilities and scholarships.
Chairing a meeting of Pahgari Board here today, the Chief Minister said that she would once again take up the matter with the Centre and redouble the efforts to get the ST status for Pahari speaking population in the state.
