 Early Times Report
Jammu, Feb 12: Notwithstanding the stand taken by his party leadership against the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre and LG administration, former Deputy Chief Minister and leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Muzaffar Hussain Baig is at the forefront to hail historic decision of the Centre to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to Pahari Ethnic Group.
Within days after Baig rejoined PDP, the former Deputy Chief Minister started calling “spade a spade” by praising both the Union Government and the Lieutenant Governor’s administration for taking initiatives to grant ST status to the Paharis-speaking people.
Today Baig along with his wife Safina Baig, who is Chairperson, of District Development Council Baramulla, was leading the 120-member delegation of the Pahari community that met with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Raj Bhawan today.
The Lt Governor reiterated the commitment of the UT Administration to ensure that the benefits of Scheduled Tribes reservation are extended to Pahari, Padari, Koli, and Gadda Brahmin this year and they are included in the Tribal plan schemes.
The prominent Pahari leaders conveyed their heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for empowering the Pahari community while safeguarding the interests of Gujjar, Bakarwals, and other listed tribes.
“We are all broth Within days after Baig rejoined PDP, he started calling “spade a spade” by praising both the Centre and the LG administration
He thanked the Centre and LG administration for taking initiatives to grant ST status to Paharis.
Today Baig along with his wife Safina Baig led the 120-member delegation of the Pahari community.
Muzaffar Hussain Baig, former Deputy Chief Minister lauded the Central Government and the UT Administration for fulfilling the long-pending demands of the Paharis and other communities.
The Lt Governor assured the delegation that the issues projected by them will be implemented in letter and spirit.
He further asked the community elders to constitute a Samiti of prominent members for seamless coordination with Government Officials on the issues concerning the community.
Earlier Baig praised the Prime Minister after passing the Bill in the Parliament to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Paharis.
Earlier Beigh has praised the Prime Minister a number of times but it was the first time after rejoining the PDP he has praised the Union Government, especially Prime Minister and Home Minister.
On January 7, on the death anniversary of the former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Beigh rejoined the PDP.
PDP leadership seized every opportunity to criticize the Union Government for the sake of criticism.
Co-founder of PDP Muzaffar Hussain Beigh had resigned from the party on November 14, 2020. Beigh had charged the incumbent leadership of the party with surrendering before other constituents of the Peoples’ Alliance of Gupkar Declaration (PAGD). | 