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| I’m not averse to political reservation for ST: Azad | | Asks community leaders to work for consensus among political parties | | Jammu, August 6- Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today said that he was not averse to reservation of seats for schedule tribes in the State Assembly if all political parties arrived at a consensus on the issue. He asked the scheduled tribe people constituting a prominent segment of the state’s population, to work for such a consensus during the session of the state legislature to be resumed after a recess on August 20.
Azad was reacting to a demand of reservation for the scheduled tribes in the legislature made by Gujjar community at a function addressed by the Chief Minister after inaugurating a vocational training centre set up by Gurjar Desh Charitable Trust here this afternoon.
The Chief Minister said political reservation for a section of the population required constitutional amendment for which political parties in the legislature would have to arrive at a consensus. He said so far as his Congress party was concerned it had no reservation in accepting the demand. However, he said given the numbers in the assembly, the party on its own cannot affect the amendment to the Constitution. Support of other political parties, particularly PDP and National Conference, was also required to amend the law, he added.
“You must work for creating consensus among political parties on the issue and take advantage of the current session of the legislature”, Azad told the community leaders adding that they had influence in every political party that could be used to bring the political spectrum on the same wavelength.
The Chief Minister said political reservation could be given according to the population without infringing the rights of other segments of the society. He said he had convened a meeting of all political parties to arrive at consensus on setting up of a Delimitation Commission and 25 % increase in the seats of the State assembly. He said even if the increase in assembly seats could not materialize, still the delimitation of seats and reservation for scheduled tribes could be agreed upon. He recalled that the Congress party manifesto and the common minimum programme of the ruling coalition also provided for setting up of delimitation commission. He said a Bill was ready on the subject and asked the political parties to support him in getting it through in the legislature.
The Chief Minister referred to several decisions taken by the government recently especially during the meetings of Advisory Boards of Gujjar and Bakarwal and Paharis for speedy socio-economic transformation of the schedule tribes. He said his government had attached top priority to the development of downtrodden and economically backward sections of the society. He made a special mention of the decisions taken with regard to setting up of a separate directorate for tribal welfare and upgradation of 100 primary schools in Gujjar and Bakarwal inhabited areas this year. He said his government was fully aware of the problems and development needs of Gujjars, Bakarwals, Pahari speaking people and others living in far-flung areas. He said several initiatives were being taken for ensuring their all round development.
Azad said mobile teachers would be provided elementary medical training to attend to provide first aid to nomadic population while in highland pastures. He said that he was of the view that hostels for Gujjar and Bakarwal students should also be set up in higher secondary schools in far-off areas to benefit more scheduled tribe students in pursuing their education.
The Chief Minister on behalf of the Trust presented awards to MLC, M.Y Taing and two prominent Gujjar intellectuals from POK, Dr Sagar Afaqi and Mukhlis Wajdani for their contribution to the Gojari language and literature. He also announced Rs. 50 lakh assistance for Gurjar Desh Charitable Trust.
Azad lauded the performance of the Gurjar Desh Charitable Trust and said the educational institution set up by the Trust was one of the best schools imparting quality education to children of all sections of the society. He complimented the functionaries of the Trust for their endeavour in achieving excellence in the field of education. He referred to the vocational training centre set up by the Trust and hoped that it would go a long way in imparting vocational training to the students and academics.
Minister for Health and Medical Education, Mangat Ram Sharma praised the contribution of Chairman Masud Choudhary and other members of the Trust, for setting up a magnificent complex with school, hostel, vocational training centre and other facilities for students. He also recalled the contribution of Gujjar community in the development of the state and the country.
The Minister also threw light on several historic decisions taken by Azad-led government for their speedier socio-economic transformation.
Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, Taj Mohiuddin also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the measures taken by the state government for the development and welfare of Gujjars and other similarly placed communities.
Chairman Gurjar Desh Charitable Trust Masud Choudhary gave details of the activities of the trust and its future plan of action.
Minister for Rural Development Jugal Kishore Sharma, Member Parliament Madan Lal Sharma, legislators, senior officers, political leaders, functionaries of the trust, prominent citizens, teachers, students and a large number of members of the community were present at the function
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