Guv gives assent to bill granting reservation to Paharis

Jammu, Jan 24: Governor, Satya Pal Malik on Thursday give his assent to the Jammu & Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2014, providing reservation to the persons belonging to Pahari community, clan or tribe having distinct cultural, ethnic and linguistic identity, in the Government jobs.
The amendment provides for addition of a separate category of the persons belonging to Pahari community, clan or tribe having distinct, cultural, ethnic and linguistic identity among the Socially and Educationally Backward classes (other than Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes).
The methodology and authority for identification of Pahari Community shall be notified by the Government, said an official spokesman.
Because of the remoteness and inaccessibility of the areas of their residence, the Pahari community has historically faced considerable economic distress leading to overall socio-economic backwardness, he said.
On one hand, they are not able to compete with other sections of the society who are better placed in terms of socio-economic position as also in terms of access to services like Education and Health Care due to above mentioned disadvantages. On the other hand, the Pahari People are not able to derive any benefit even at the lower rung in respect of getting employment.

The welfare legislation is aimed at providing job opportunities to the Pahari people residing in backward areas of the state. This was a long pending demand of the people belonging to this group and will go a long way in improving their status, educational and job opportunities, said the spokesman.

Mehbooba, PC hail decision

Srinagar, Jan 24: Former Chief Minister and President People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday welcomed the government decision of providing reservation to the persons belonging to Pahari community in Jammu and Kashmir and termed it as an appropriate step towards state’s harmonious growth.
In a statement issued, Mehbooba congratulated the Pahari community for being granted the reservation, stating that the decision was taken by the PDP led government last year in February and that she is thankful to the Governor for giving his assent to that vital decision.
She said that the PDP while being in the government had taken itself into account the social status of the Pahari community and always felt concerned about the problems faced by the educated youth from among them, more particularly in the back ground of their economic condition, social environment and lack of facilities to come up to the standards of competition of the times.
Mehbooba further remarked that the PDP since inception has been striving for the upliftment of all sections of the society through economic empowerment, quality education, cultural promotion and equal opportunities for growth.
“Towards the fulfillment of these objectives an exceptional treatment to certain communities has been the legitimate desire of PDP leadership. Reservation decision for Paharis was one such decision that meets the party’s social agenda, said PDP President.
Peoples Conference welcomed the Governor’s assent to a bill for giving reservation to Paharis.
A party spokesman said PC Chief Sajad Lone worked hard for revival of the bill which was put into cold storage. “As minister in-charge Social Welfare, Lone introduced the bill in the Assembly and got it passed with support from all MLAs,” he said. He said Sajad Gani Lone, Imran Raza Ansari and Raja Aijaz Ali had also recently meet Governor to seek his assent for the bill.