Excelsior Correspondent
DODA, Mar 11: Former Member Parliament and chief patron of All Party Action Committee, Sheikh Abdul Rehman today demanded ST status for all the seven segments of Chenab region.
While lauding grant of ST status to Padder Sub Division of Kishtwar, surrounded by Zanskar and Pangi, already declared as ST, Rehman said it would have been better if ST status had been granted to all the seven segments of Chenab region, spread over an area of around 12500 sq km on the ground that entire area has largest BPL population, have different tribal rites and rituals, marriage ceremony system, speak about half a dozen different languages and lag behind in every sphere of life thus deserve to be declared as ST status on the analogy of Pangi in Himachal and Zanskar in Ladakh.
It is pertinent to mention here that the then MLA Bhaderwah, Sheikh Abdul Rehman had moved a Bill in the Legislature during 2001 for grant of Hill Development Council to Chenab region on the analogy of Zanskar and Pangi, already granted to Leh and Kargil. Later, MLC from Doda Najib Suhrawardy had moved a resolution in the Upper House which too was passed without any resistance. Again large chunk of population was granted 20 % RBA reservation, which was later reduced to 10 %.
Rehman said that in view of harsh living conditions and economic backwardness of the people of this region, all the seven segments of Chenab valley be granted ST status. He said that like Zanskar and Pangi, entire Chenab belt should be granted ST status.
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