A Gujjar and Bakerwal conference was organised at Village Palth, Block Nud to discuss issues faced by the community here today.Vice Chairman State Advisory Board for development of Gujjar and Bakerwals, Choudhary Zaffar Ali, Minister of State for PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control, Animal Husbandry and Forests, Abdul Majid Padder, MLA Samba, Dr Devinder Kumar Manyal, Political Advisor to Mehbooba Mufti, Peerzada Mansoor Hussain and heads of various departments attended the conference.The local Gujjar leaders and residents projected various demands and problems regarding electricity supply, road connectivity, water shortage and other issues.
Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chairman said that Gujjar and Bakerwal community needs to work together for good of their community. He demanded that Forest department must include grazers before formulating any development plan. He called for opening of mobile schools and anganwadi centres for the migratory population. He also said that a scheme on the pattern of Indira Awas Yojana (IAY) must be prepared for Gujjar and Bakerwals.MLA Samba projected the issue of water scarcity in Gujjar bastis. Peerzada Mansoor said that coalition government was working towards holistic development of all the three regions of the state. Abdul Majid Padder directed Director Sheep Husbandry to look into the quality and quantity of medicines being provided to the livestock of tribals. He gave on the spot directions to Executive Engineer Ground water for exploring possibility of dug wells in the area and submit proposal in this regard.