news details |
|
|
| Gujjars demand postponement of BPL survey | | | Early Times Reporter
Srinagar | Sep 22
The Gujjars have appealed to the State Government to stop and postpone the survey regarding the families Living Below Poverty line (BPL) which was scheduled to start from today, as lakhs of Nomad Gujjars are presently under migration from the Himalayan Regions to planes and warmer areas of the state, said the Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation a National Organization working for the welfare of the Tribes in India.
Owing to the holy month of Ramadhan, the Gujjars, already have proponed their migration along with their livestock in the first week of September 2007 and the process of this bi-yearly phase of migration is completed in 28 to 30 days through seven Himalayan traditional routes of migration which include the Mughal Road, G T Road, Jamiya Gali, Gora Batta, Nanansar, Ropadi and Dharhal Pass and will be available for such type of surveys in the month of October, when the process of survey, as per its present schedule will end on 10th of October 2007, said Dr. Javaid Rahi, National Secretary of the Tribal foundation
‘As per the handout issued by Department of Economics and Statistics, Government of Jammu an Kashmir, the survey is designed to cover all the 22 districts of the State for identification of the people living below the poverty line. Besides, the survey is contemplated to provide the information about the number of educated unemployed seeking employment. The main aim of the survey is to formulate policies and plans for eradication of poverty and tackling the problem of unemployment by the State Government.
Since, lakhs of Gujjars and Bakerwals, living Below Poverty Line (BPL) are presently under migration therefore the government should wait or arrange a special survey for such nomadic tribe, till their bi- yearly migration is completed said Dr. Javaid Rahi.
In the modus operandi of the field operations and guidelines of the survey of government , no policy has been devised to include nomads in their survey and distribute Mobile BPL cards and no rules have been framed to overcome this serious lapse," the foundation's press handout said.
A sizeable population of Gujjars and Bakerwals in Jammu and Kashmir which constitute 20 to 25% population of the State are living below poverty line (BPL) and do not get even sufficient food, heath and educational and employment facilities. The maximum percentage of nomads belonging to the tribe are not in a position to manage two time meals, proper shelter and fodder for their livestock, the handout claimed.
The Hindu and Buddhist Tribes of State which include Gaddi , Sippi, Borckpa and Channgpa are also about to start their bi-yearly migration within weeks time ,presently on higher reaches of Shivalik and Zojeela, will not also be available for such important survey, said Dr. Rahi
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
