JAMMU: Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti on Monday said the state government would pursue grant of Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to Pahari speaking people by the Central Government with all seriousness and all possible efforts would be made for socio-economic empowerment of the community.
The CM was addressing a meeting of J&K State Advisory Board for Development of Pahari People here.
She further said the state government has already submitted an elaborate proposal to the Centre, which reasons out the need for granting ST status to Pahari community. More Girls’ hostels, schools and hospitals would be constructed in the area for the upliftment of the community, she added.
In the meeting, the CM instructed the Education Department to undertake coaching of students in Pahari area schools for various competitive examinations.
She also directed the constitution of a Committee by the Vice-Chairman of the Board to look into the condition of the boys and girls hostels of the community set up in various areas of the State. The Committee should come up with a status report about these hostels and suggest measures about their proper maintenance, she stressed.
She also instructed for construction of a Sarai at Kupwara for providing temporary shelter to members of Pahari community.
Deputy Chief Minister Dr. Nirmal Singh, in his address, sought consensus driven efforts for resolving the issues confronting the community. He said the government is committed to the welfare of Pahari community.
Earlier, Vice Chairman, Pahari Board Kuldeep Raj Gupta outlined the activities of the Board before the meeting.
Minister for R&B Abdul Rehman Veeri, Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Choudhary Zulfkar Ali, Minister for Health and Medical Education Bali Bhagat, Minister for Rural Development Abdul Haq Khan, Minister for Social Welfare Sajad Ghani Lone, Minister for Animal and Sheep Husbandry Abdul Ghani Kohli, Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Sham Lal Choudhary, Minister for Education Naeem Akhtar, Minister of State for Social Welfare Asiea Naqash, several legislators, Chief Secretary B. R Sharma, administrative Secretaries of various Departments and senior officers were present in the meeting.