PDP constitute Gujjar, Bakerwal, Pahari cell

KT NEWS SERVICE Pahalgam, Apr 23 : Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would constitute a special cell in the party that would exclusively work for the welfare of the Gujjar, Bakerwal and Pahari communities in tune with the party's policy of ensuring equitable political and economic empowerment for various sections of the society.

This was announced by the PDP President Ms Mehbooba Mufti at the day-long Gujjar-Bakerwal-Pahari conference at Akad today.

She said the members of these communities would be co-opted to work-out wide-ranging short and long-term measures and policies for the welfare of these communities who have, unfortunately, all along been exploited as a lucrative vote-bank without addressing their genuine concerns.

She said it is heartening to note that the initiatives taken by the PDP-led Coalition Government for the welfare of Gujjars, Bakerwals and Paharis are being widely acknowledged by these communities as they had, for the first time, witnessed substantial measures towards their overall development.

"In tune with our policy of ensuring equitable political and economic development of all the communities, regions and sub-regions of the State, PDP would ensure that Gujjars, Bakerwals and Paharis get their due in every sphere of life," she said.

Cautioning against the clandestine designs some quarters to fragment the society on ethnic lines, said that covert efforts are being made to create dissensions in the society to exploit Gujjars, Bakerwals, Paharis and other ethnic and religious groups for electoral gains.

She said such perilous efforts could prove extremely detrimental for the composite culture of the State and the consequences could be disastrous.

She warned against resorting to such divisive political adventurism that could leave ugly scars on the composite culture of the State.

Stressing the need for working positively towards the welfare of these communities instead of using them as a vote-bank, said the Government must accord proprietary rights of land to the members of the Gujjar, Bakerwal and Pahari communities in the Behaks, they are presently holding for residential purposes.

She also demanded setting up of adequate number of Anganwari Centers in the areas inhabited by the members of these communities.

She said given the educational constraints of the members of these communities, they must be given relaxation in age and educational qualification for recruitment as Anganwari Workers.

Among other measures, Mehbooba called for extension of recently announced agriculture loan waiver scheme to the livestock to benefit the members of Gujjar, Bakerwal and Pahari communities.

She also called for relaxing norms for the grazing areas in the forests processing of all the pending SRO - 43 cases of these communities.

PDP leaders Rafi Ahmad Mir, M Y Gursi, Gul Mohammad and Ahmad Gursi also addressed the Conference.