Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 23: Seeking enhancement of reserved seats in all universities and colleges of Jammu and Kashmir for admission of Gujjar-Bakerwals students at various level- the Scheduled Tribe Community members today demanded reservation to them proportionate to their population with regard to the respective region where the university or college exists.
They were speaking in a programme organized here by Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation- to discuss various aspects of “Admission Issues- Quota for STs and Gujjars of J&K”.
The programme was presided over by Dr Javaid Rahi, secretary of the Foundation. He informed that the Foundation has written to Vice Chancellors for immediate enhancement of seats for Gujjar-Bakerwals students.
He said that the Foundation will shortly establish a guidance cell in the State to guide community youths in getting admissions, jobs under ST category in the country in general and in State in particular. He also asked Gujjar-Bakerwals students to opt for other National Universities for admission and be focused on competitive exams.
The speakers on the occasion explained that there is 6 percent reservation presently for Gujjars/Bakerwals for admission in Government professional colleges of J&K (as against 14.9 percent population of ST-Gujjars-Bakerwals – in the State as per census 2011), 5 percent in University of Jammu (as against 21 percent population in the province and the Gujjars-Bakerwals share the percent seats with Gaddis, Sippis and Baltis ) and 3 percent in Kashmir University which was clubbed with STs from this year (as against 11 percent population in the region).
The speakers said the BGSB University Rajouri provides 9% Reservation to Gujjars and Bakarwals as against more than 50% population in the areas. They said Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University and Islamic University of Science and Technology so for have no provision for quota/reservation to be provided to Suppressed and marginalized groups like SC/STs.
The speakers stressed that there is an urgent need to implement, monitor and evaluate continuously the reservation policy in universities and colleges and plan measures for ensuring effective implementation of the policies and programmes of the Government meant to uplift tribal population.
Those who spoke, included Dil Nawaz Choudhary, Naveed Khatana, Amir Ali, Chechi, M S Arif, Kher-ud-Din Chowdhary, Noushad Chowdhary and others.
Follow our WhatsApp channel