Srinagar:
In response to the recent extension of Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Pahari people and other communities in Jammu and Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha assured that the reservation benefits for Gujjar and Bakerwal communities would remain unaffected.
During an interaction with journalists at Raj Bhawan, LG Sinha clarified that the newly recognized Pahari Ethnic and other tribes under the ST category would constitute a separate group. He emphasized that this move aims to ensure that the reservation status of existing STs, including Gujjars and Bakerwals, is not compromised.
LG Sinha reiterated that the existing tribes would continue to receive their allotted quota of 10 percent reservations. Furthermore, he announced the establishment of a new Sub Group specifically dedicated to accommodating reservations for the newly recognized tribes added under the ST category.
Additionally, LG Sinha highlighted that the tribes newly inducted into the ST category would receive reservations in government jobs, educational institutions, as well as political reservations and benefits from all Central and Union Territory schemes.
Addressing concerns, he urged the Gujjars and Bakerwals not to be misled, affirming that their interests have been fully taken care of and protected by the Government.
Moreover, LG Sinha criticized political leaders with vested interests for attempting to create confusion, noting their lack of significant contributions to the welfare of the people in Jammu and Kashmir during their tenure.
He clarified that prior to the decisions of the Central Government on August 5, 2019, there were no political reservations for STs in Jammu and Kashmir. It was only after this date that the Delimitation Commission reserved nine seats for them in the 90-seat Legislative Assembly of the Union Territory.
The decision to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Paharis was announced during a public rally by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, fulfilling a longstanding demand of the Pahari community. LG Sinha emphasized that this decision aligns with the recommendations of the Justice G D Sharma Commission, aimed at rectifying injustices against marginalized sections of society in Jammu and Kashmir.
