Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 26: Demanding immediate steps to enhance reserved seats for Schedule Tribes (STs) under Gujjars-Bakerwals category proportionate to their population – the community leaders today pleaded that State Universities must provide a justified share to tribal students for admissions in colleges.
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 in J&K State”.
The programme was presided over by noted Gujjar scholar Dr Javaid Rahi and attended by elder leaders of the tribe.
Dr Javaid Rahi, in his presidential address, stated that in Jammu province the tribal Gujjar and Bakerwal population constitute 18.9 percent of total population but University of Jammu is providing only 3 percent reservation for PG courses while professional colleges are providing only 6 percent reservation in admission which is far below in comparison to their population in 10 districts of Jammu. He said that tribal of the region deserve a justified quota in admission according to their population. He said in Kashmir University, Gujjars students are getting 5 percent reservation against 11.9 percent population in the province.
The speakers said the BGSB University Rajouri provides 9 percent reservation to Gujjars and Bakerwals as against more than 50 percent population in the areas. They said Central University Jammu, Cluster University Jammu and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University are following same rules of 3 percent quota of Jammu University.
The participants were informed that the Foundation will shortly establish a guidance cell in the State to guide community youth in getting admissions, jobs under ST category in the country in general and in State in particular. The speakers were informed that the Foundation has written to Vice Chancellors for immediate enhancement of seats for Gujjar-Bakerwal students.
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 Arif Nawaz Choudhary, Naveed Anjum Khatana, Amir Ali Chechi, M S Dhakkad, Kher-ud-Din Chowdhary, Noushad Chowdhary and others.
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