Bhalla leads PoJK DPs delegation to CM, seeks ST2 Certificates and Rs 30 lakh package
STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: JKPCC Working President Raman Bhalla on Tuesday led a delegation of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) Displaced Persons (DPs) to meet Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, seeking urgent intervention over the alleged denial of ST2 certificates to displaced members of the Pahari community.
Terming the issue one of “constitutional justice and equal treatment,” Bhalla urged the Chief Minister to direct all district administrations to ensure uniform implementation of the Scheduled Tribe notification for the Pahari Ethnic Group (PEG), without discrimination based on present place of residence.
The delegation submitted a memorandum dated March 3, 2026, highlighting grievances of displaced Pahari families from PoJK currently residing in various districts of Jammu Division, particularly Jammu, Samba and others outside Rajouri and Poonch. They alleged that eligible applicants fulfilling criteria under SO 176 dated March 15, 2024, are facing rejection or non-processing of ST2 applications in districts other than Rajouri and Poonch.
Bhalla asserted that displaced PoJK Pahari families meet all eligibility requirements, including proof of distinct ethnic, cultural and linguistic identity and valid documents certified by competent authorities. However, he claimed they are being denied ST2 status solely due to their current district of residence. “Ethnicity-not geography-is the constitutional basis for ST recognition,” he said, calling the alleged interpretation discriminatory and unconstitutional.
The delegation cited instances where siblings from the same displaced family have been treated differently-one granted ST2 status in Rajouri or Poonch, while another residing in Jammu has been denied the same. They said such inconsistencies violate the principle of equality and have created resentment among displaced youth.
Bhalla also reiterated the long-pending demand for implementation of the Parliamentary Committee’s recommendation of a Rs 30 lakh rehabilitation package for PoJK displaced families, stating that financial compensation and identity recognition must go hand in hand.
The Chief Minister gave a patient hearing and assured that the matter would be examined in accordance with law.
The delegation comprised Amrit Bali (Ex-Sarpanch), Retd Col Ravinder Sharma, Rajinder Singh (Ex-Sarpanch), Gurmeet Singh, Inder Pal Singh, Ankush Raina, Madan Lal Sharma, Romesh Raina, Koushal Kumar Shastri, Babu Ram Sharma, Tushar Sharma, Rohit Khujria and Retd SP Vijay Sharma, among other representatives of the displaced community.
