ST’s, WPR’s and other deprived communities empowered
JK News Today
Jammu, March 10:
Articles 370 and 35-A were a major deadlock in the development of J&K. After the abrogation of these discriminatory articles, the Central government and UT government have taken some remarkable steps for the upliftment of those sections of society who remained deprived because of these articles.
In one of the significant developments, the government recently extended forest rights to the Scheduled Tribes and Traditional Forest Dwellers. The recognition of Forest Rights Act, 2007 is an act to recognize and vest the forest rights and occupation in forest land in forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers. Reservation rules have also been amended and 4% reservation has been given to Pahari speaking people and 10% reservation to economically weaker sections. All unjust and discriminatory laws have been repealed and central laws are applicable in J&K now. Nearly 890 central laws are applicable in J&K whereas 205 state laws are repealed and 130 laws are modified/applied.
In the recent months, Several Scheduled Tribes and Traditional Forest Dwellers have been granted forest land rights. One such beneficiary is Ghulam Mohammad Gorsi from Lidru Pahalgam who received 2 kanals of land through this act. “It is a great moment for ST community as we got rights over the land on which we used to live from many years”, Ghulam Mohammad said. He adds, “The present LG administration is providing regular and constant support to tribal communities which has uplifted our economic conditions”.
Another beneficiary of this act is Mohammad Yousuf Khatana who was granted 5.8 kanals of land through this act. “I am very thankful to the administration who gave us this right for which we used to run from pillar to post”. He adds that on same pattern land should be provided to the beneficiaries so that their economic conditions get better.
The act recognises the traditional rights of the “tribals and other forest dwelling communities” over the control and use of natural resources and it also recognises individual and community rights over forest resources.
Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 seeks to redress the historical injustice done to the forest dwelling people whose rights had not been legally recognized and recorded and who were denied their traditional rights to forest lands and resources in legislations prior to FRA.
One more beneficiary of this act is Nazir Ahmad Gorsi from Lidroo Pahalgam who received 19 kanals and 10 marlas of land under this act. “I am thankful to LG administration who gave us this land and right”. He adds that this will also help in overall development of Jammu and Kashmir.
Another significant developments which happened after the annulation of Art. 370 & 35-A was empowerment of West Pakistan refugees. The injustice to the refugees ended with revocation of 370 and 35A. They are now the domiciles of J&K as per the new domicile law. The government also distributed financial assistance among refugees.
West Pakistan refugees comprise members of Hindu and Sikh communities who had migrated from erstwhileWest Pakistan (now Pakistan) after partition in 1947. While refugees who settled in other parts of the country in 1947 got the Constitutional rights, the West Pakistan refugees who came to J&K were denied civil and political rights due to the discriminatory state subject laws in J&K.
After partition, refugees who came from Pakistan and settled in India were granted citizenship and were given rights just like other citizens. But this was not the case in J&K, it was only after the abrogation of article 370 that the refugees were granted rights. West Pakistan refugees and displaced persons of Pakistan occupied Jammu Kashmir (1947) and Chhamb (1965/1971) are now eligible for domicile certificate, voting rights, government jobs and other benefits. It will benefit almost 47500 families ending decades of injustice. Justice has also been served to Safayi Karamcharis and SC/ST by implementing National commission for Safayi Karamcharis act 1993 and prevention of atrocities against SC/ST.
The refugees couldn’t apply for J&K government jobs and were also barred from voting in Assembly elections. They could only apply for Central government services and vote in the Lok Sabha elections.
The discrimination continued for decades despite the refugees’ repeated pleas before the successive governments both at the state and the Centre.
Labha Ram Gandhi, West Pakistan Refugees Action Committee 1947 president, said, “We have faced discrimination for decades. It’s because of the Modi government that we can now become domiciles of J&K and apply for government jobs. The Modi government has given us dignity. We thank PM Modi for giving justice to us.”
Renu of NanakChak Samba says “We were suffering due to Article 370 and 35A. Now, we have got some relief. We can apply for government jobs now. The Modi government has done a lot for us.
Another refugee Mohinder Kumar says “We suffered for a very long time. Survival was a battle for us. We didn’t even get admission in colleges. We would like to thank PM Narendra Modi for taking note of our plight and delivering justice to us.”
Numerous central laws are now applicable in J&K which are progressive and people friendly. The 73rd and 74th amendment of Indian Constitution is now fully applicable which has ultimately empowered Panchayati raj institution and democracy has percolated at grassroot level in our UT. The recently held BDC and DDC elections are testimony of it and it has established a full fledged 3-tier Panchayati Raj system in J&K.
Annulment of article 370 has provided domicile equality for women. Before August 2019, women residents of J&K lost their right to buy property in the erstwhile state if they marry outside the erstwhile state. Their spouses were not treated as residents of J&K and also not allowed to inherit or buy property. Now with the central government’s notification for Jammu and Kashmir, the spouses of women get domicile status even if they are from other states or union territories of India
One such women resident Preeti Jasrotia of Kathua district of J&K who is married in Pathankot and had lost her property rights due to Art. 370 & 35-A is relieved. “It was a blessing on me and other girls like me that this 370 was abrogated”, Jasrotia said. She adds that after the revocation of Art. 370, girls like me can apply for jobs here and can also be domiciles of J&K UT.
Another community which was deprived of economic development and social status is Valmiki community which git empowered after the annulation of Art 370.
President Balmiki Samaj, Vijay Paul expressed deep gratitude to PM Narendra Modi and the J&K Government for empowering this deprived and backward community. “We are thankful to central government and J&K government that our dream has been fulfilled and we have got right to vote and right to apply for jobs here”, Paul said. He adds that this will boost the economic conditions of entire Valmiki community.
Nullification of Article 370 has paved the way for a single constitution along the length and breadth of the country. It has laid the foundation for ‘One Nation, One Constitution, One Flag’. A new era has begun in J&K and its development will take place together with the rest of India and both will make the effort to take the nation forward.
