Excelsior Correspondent
DOMANA, Nov 12: The Jammu and Kashmir Batwal Welfare Association held its meeting today at Domana, which was chaired by Dev Raj Lakhotra and attended by a majority of Batwal community members hailing from urban rural and hilly areas.
The meeting discussed present scenario of the Batwal community at length. Association members said that the Batwal community has never been given any representation in any Government forum though other communities rotationally avail this opportunity.
Claiming that Batwal community has no effective say only due to its non-representation to its members, the Association members alleged that there was no action on its numerous demands highlighted through memorandums submitted to the Union and the State Governments in last three decades through Governor House, former Deputy Chief Minister and Cabinet Minister. The Government has not even bothered to talk to us, said Association members.
The meet also rued that no action has yet been taken by the Union Government to implement the survey report of ethnographic study of J&K Batwal Community undertaken in 1994 by the Census Operation, J&K at the behest of Central Planning Commission.
The meeting urged the Union and the State Governments to pay attention to the matter and have the committed financial benefits provided to rearmost Batwals so as to enable them to raise their living standard and lead a dignified life like other evolved products of the society.
During the meeting, Association members expressed pride over Sahil Kaith of Jammu district receiving the ‘Sher-e-Kashmir Sword of Honour’ from Major General S.K.Sharma in a passing out parade held recently at Bana Singh Parade Ground of JAKLI Centre, Srinagar.
During the meeting, Association formed a ‘Special Committee’ with Captain Ram Lal, Subedar Major (Retd) Gunni Ram, Subedar Baldev Chand, Havildar Darshan Lal, Naib Sarpanch Ram Lal, Panch Narayan Dass, Numberdar Sardari Lal and Subash Chander, to resolve some important issues of the community.
Prominent among those present in the meeting, included Captain Om Parkash, Captain Kamal Chand, Master Rattan Lal, Shankar Dass, BuaDitta, ChamanLal, NandLal, Parkash Chand, Bodh Raj, Ambu Ram, Kapur Chand,, Karam Chand, Ram Saran and Vijay Kumar.
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