Early Times Report
Jammu, Mar 31: All J&K Gaddi Sippi Tribe Welfare Association (AJKGSTWA) demanded creation of Advisory Board for Development of Gaddi-Sippi tribes of state. According to press release, a delegation of AJKGSTWA led by its state president Parveen Jaryal called on Bali Bhagat, Minister for Social Welfare, J&K government, at Civil secretariat Jammu. On the occasion Jaryal urged the minister for establishment of Gaddi Sippi Hostels and an Advisory Board for Development of Gaddi and Sippi tribes on the pattern of Gujjar Bakerwal hostels and Gujjar Bakerwal Advisory Board respectively.
He stated that like Gujjar and Bakerwals, Gaddi and Sippi communities are also enjoying ST status and since 1991 and are also semi nomadic transhumant tribes who undergo seasonal migration with their livestock from hills to plains during winter and vice versa in summer to facilitate grazing of their live stock. "Like Gujjar and Bakerwals, Gaddi and Sippi tribes inhabit hilly terrains, have their own tribal language, culture, profession and costume and are facing same socio economic hardships", he informed the Minister, adding that the successive state governments have created a communal wedge between Gujjar Bakerwals and Gaddi Sippi tribes by making special provisions for welfare of the former and ignoring the latter in all spheres of development despite the fact that all these communities have same constitutional status and have similar life style. Jaryal hoped that Gaddi Sippi tribes would not experience any more step motherly treatment in the years to come. Bhagat gave a patient hearing to the delegates and assured them that their grievances shall be considered by the government sympathetically for redressal. Prominent among those who were present in the delegation include Shankar Chand (district President Udhampur), Sarpanch Khem Raj, Om Prakash and Sunil Katoch. |
