JK News Today
Jammu, October 23 : The Government has issued a fresh list of the categories entitled for 4 per cent reservation in Jammu and Kashmir . The list has added 15 Castes/ communities in the Social Caste category, including West Pakistani refugees, except Scheduled Castes, Acharyas, Christian biradari converted from Hindu Valmiki, Swarankars and Gorkhas.
A notification to this effect has been issued by the Social Welfare Department on the orders of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
The Government has also made modifications in already existing Castes in Social Caste category by substituting their names.
Addition of new Castes and substitution of names has been done by amending Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Rules.
Fifteen new Castes/communities added to the Social Castes list include Waghey (Chopan), Ghirath/Bhati/Chang community, Jat community, Saini community, Markabans/ Pony Walas, Sochi community, Christian biradari (converted from Hindu Valmiki), Sunar/Swarankar, Teeli (Hindu Teeli along with already existing Muslim Teli), Perna/Kouro (Kaurav), Bojru /Decount/ Dubdabay Brahmin, Gorkans, Gorkhas, West Pakistani refugees (excluding Scheduled Castes) and Acharyas.
According to the notification, potters (Kumahars), shoe repairers (working without the aid of machines), Bangies Khakrobes (sweepers), barbers, washerman and Dooms have been respectively substituted by Kumahars, Mochi, Bangies Khakrobes, Hajjam/Nai, Dhobi and Dooms (excluding SCs).
Another significant change has been made in Jammu and Kashmir Reservations Rules by replacing words “Pahari Speaking People (PSP)” or “Pahari Speaking People” with “Pahari Ethnic People”.
The Social Caste list has been redrawn on the recommendations of the Jammu and Kashmir Socially and Educationally Backward Classes Commission which was constituted by J&K Government in 2020. Former High Court Judge Justice G D Sharma headed the three-member panel.
