Jammu, February 06: As the Lok Sabha cleared historic bill to grant scheduled status to paharis and other tribes, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Tuesday said new inclusions will not impact current level of reservations available to the existing Scheduled Tribe communities such as Gujjars and Bakarwals and appealed people and community elders to discharge their responsibilities and counter any misinformation being spread by miscreants in this regard.
On the occasion, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha issued a statement: “A historic day for Jammu Kashmir! Lok Sabha has cleared the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2024 to grant scheduled tribe status to Paharis, Padari Tribes, Koli and Gadda Brahmin, fulfilling the long pending demand of these communities.
He said under leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, government has ensured inclusion of these communities in Scheduled Tribes list will have no impact on current level of reservations available to Gujjars, Bakarwals and other tribes. “They will continue to get reservation like before.”
“After the bill is cleared in Rajya Sabha, the UT administration will issue necessary notifications ensuring that the people included in the existing list of Scheduled Tribes continue to get the same level of reservation.”
The LG said UT administration is committed to build a J&K which focuses on balanced development and benefits all sections of society with the Mantra of inclusive development.
“I also appeal to the people and community elders to discharge their responsibilities well and counter any misinformation being spread by miscreants on level of reservation to the communities.
“I reiterate that the inclusion of new communities in the list of Scheduled Tribes will not impact current level of reservations available to the existing Scheduled Tribe communities such as Gujjars and Bakarwals,” he added.
