Gujjars allege discrimination by J&K govt, demand reservation

Srinagar, Sep 16 (UNI) The Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation (TRCF) criticised the Jammu and Kashmir government for ignoring the Gujjar community while making appointments in different departments in the state.

The representation of the Gujjars, the third largest community in the state, in seven major institutions and government departments was almost nil, a survey conducted by TRFC, a National organisation working on tribes with focus on Gujjars, said.

Surprisingly, the State Advisory Board set up for the development of Gujjars and Bakerwals had ignored the Gujjars, the survey said.

Among the 15 staff members, including Vice Chairman, there are just two class-fourth employees from Gujjar community in the department.

Dr Javaid Rahi, National Secretary of the Foundation said Gujjars comprise nearly 20 to 25 per cent population of the State.

Under the rules, they have to get ten per cent reservation as Scheduled Tribe, he said and alleged that it is surprising that their presence in seven major government department and Institutions including Civil Secretariat, Civil Administration, Judiciary, Jammu and Kashmir Bank, Police, Universities of Kashmir and Jammu is almost negligible.

It was an act of social injustice and discrimination against the Gujjars, he added.

Quoting the survey, he said in the Civil Secretariat, seat of the government, there are 101 Under-Secretaries and Private Secretaries and only one Under-Secretary belongs to the Gujjar Tribe.

There is no Gujjar Deputy Secretary, Additional Secretary, Special Secretary, Commissioner Secretary or above rank, Dr Rahi said.

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