Mehbooba for extension of agriculture loan waiver to livestock

Srinagar, Apr 23 (UNI) Announcing to constitute a special cell to work exclusively for the welfare of Gujjar, Bakerwal and Pahari communities, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) demanded extension of recently announced agriculture loan waiver scheme to the livestock in the state.

Addressing a day-long Gujjar-Bakerwal-Pahari conference at Akad, Pahalgam in south Kashmir today, the PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said a special cell in the party would be constituted to work exclusively for the welfare of the Gujjar, Bakerwal and Pahari communities.

She said the members of these communities would be included to work-out wide-ranging short and long-term measures and policies for the welfare of these communities.

Ms Mufti said the PDP wanted to ensure equitable political and economic development of all the communities, regions and sub-regions of the State and Gujjars, Bakerwals and Paharis would get their due in every sphere of life.

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

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, Ms Mufti 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.

The PDP president said given the educational constraints of the members of these communities, they must be given relaxation in age and educational qualification for being recruited as Anganwari Workers.

She also called for extension of recently announced agriculture loan waiver scheme to the livestock to benefit the members of Gujjar, Bakerwal and Pahari communities.

UNI BAS AE KP1736