Waris Fayaz
Srinagar, Jan 01 : Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has listed empowering Pahari ethnic group, Padari tribes, Koli, and Gadda Brahmin in Jammu and Kashmir among the major achievements of Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government.
The 2024 annual report of the MHA states: “Peace in Jammu and Kashmir has been a priority of the PM Modi led government. Under the vision of the Prime Minister, the MHA undertook a slew of measures to enshrine peace, equality, and justice at the center of J&K’s governance and society.”
“Under the aegis of this broad vision, the Parliament passed the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2024, a historic bill aimed at empowering the Pahari ethnic group, Padari tribes, Koli, and Gadda Brahmin,” reads the report.
“The bill directly pivots the essence of social equity to the hills and valleys of Jammu and Kashmir by providing for reservations for deserving communities. The bill heralds a new sense of belonging and unity among the people,” it added.
The inclusion of these communities in the list of Scheduled Tribes in Jammu and Kashmir, according to the MHA report, will have absolutely no impact on the current level of reservations available to the existing Scheduled Tribe communities such as Gujjars and Bakarwals. They will continue to get reservations like before.
