The Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh today said that the Jammu Development Authority (JDA) would provide the necessary land for construction of Tribal Hostel in Jammu district so that the students of tribal communities get the requisite residential facilities while pursuing their education and other related activities.The Dy CM was interacting with the deputation of Gaddi-Sappi led by Legislators, Mr. Jewan Lal, Mr. R. S. Pathinia, Mr. Dalip Parihar, Mr. Neelam Kumar Lengah, Mr. Dina Nath Bhaghat and Mr. Shakti Raj Parihar and State President, All J&K Gaddi-Sippi Tribes Welfare Association Mr. Parveen Jaryal.The Minister for CA&PD and Tribal Affairs Choudhary Zulfkar Ali was also present on the occasion.The meeting was also attended by Commissioner Secretary, Tribal Affairs Mr. Ashok Parmar and other senior officers.
The deputation demanded inclusion of a member from the community in the State Advisory Board for Scheduled Tribes both at district and State level, providing scholarships to the members of the community as is being done in respect of Gujjars and Bakerwals, exclusion of different sub-categories in the ST category thereby bringing a uniformity in the categories, construction of residential hostels for the members of the community on the pattern of Gujjar and Bakerwals and also bringing the Koli Caste of the category in the Schedule Tribe nomenclature and inclusion of their language in 6th schedule of constitution.Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Chief Minister said that the Government is committed for socio-economic development of every section of the society especially the down-trodden and weaker ones and in this regard several welfare schemes have been launched for effective implementation. He said the issues raised by the deputations would be redressed within shortest possible time.
The Minister for Tribal Affairs Ch. Zulfkar while speaking on the occasion said that the issue of exclusion of sub categories in the Schedule Tribe category would be taken up and necessary steps would also be taken for extending the benefit of pre-matric scholarships to the students belonging to the community. He also said that issue of giving representation to the Gaddi Sappi community in the State Tribal Advisory Board would also be taken up.
Ch. Zulfkar also assured that the inclusion of Koli-Sub caste in the Gaddi Sappi category would also be taken up with the concerned. He also said that the tribal hostel would be coming up at Udhampur which would cater to the demands of the students belonging to the community.