Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali said that education is the instrument of change and holds key to socio economic growth of any community.The Minister was addressing One Day Mega Convention organized by All J&K Gujjar Bakerwal Conference here today. Minister for Animal, Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries Abdul Gani Kohli was also present on the occasion The Minister said that the present government is committed for upliftment and development of the tribal communities of the state by providing them with vital amenities and avenues .He said that the government has sanctioned Rs 20 crore for the development, maintenance and improvement of the Gujjar Bakarwal Hostels all over the state and will ensure that the scholarship amount is provided to the awardees on a timely basis to facilitate their education. He also informed that a central assistance of Rs 45 crore has been sanctioned for the development of the tribals under Tribal Sub Plan and Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana.Zulfkar urged the members to come together and work collectively for the betterment of the community while laying special focus on education and skill development.
Minister for Animal, Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries Abdul Gani Kohli while addressing the gathering said that all genuine demands and problems of the community will be aptly projected and redressed. He said that plans are underway for a systematized development of the community.The conference saw a large participation by the representatives of the community and a resolution was passed highlighting their demands related to reservation, rehabilitation of the landless gujjars, extension of forest rights act enacted by parliament in 2006 to Jammu and Kashmir, request for special census for Gujjar Bakarwal to be conducted and for Gojri to be included in the 8th schedule.MLA Javed Rana, Gujjar Bakerwal Conference President Haji Yousif Gorsi, General Secretary Ch Yaseen Poswal, General Secretary Ch Noor Ahmed Noor, Ex MLC Haji Nizam-ud-Khatana, State Secretary Ch Farooq Ahmed among other leaders and prominent members of the community were present for the convention.