Jammu, February 28 (Scoop News) – J&K Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah today assured Pahari speaking people of the Government’s determination to ameliorate their lot and provide them equal chances in the process of development and progress.
“Equitable development of all areas and all sections of the society is the benchmark of the governance of my Government”, he said and assured full support to the demand of Paharis for Schedule Tribe (ST) status.
The Chief Minister was addressing a delegation of Pahari speaking people led by Vice Chairman, Pahari Advisory Board, M. A. Bukhari at a meeting here today.
Minister for Social Welfare, Sakina Itoo, Vice Chairman, Kissan Board, Rachpal Singh, legislators, Mohammad Rashid Qureshi, Jahangir Mir, Ravinder Sharma and former Minister, legislator, Mirza Rashid, leaders of various Pahari organizations, Chief Secretary, Madhav Lal, Principle Secretary to the Chief Minister, B. B. Vyas and Commissioner Secretary, General Administration Department, M. S. Khan and other senior officers were present in the meeting.
Omar Abdullah told the delegation that he would reiterate the State’s demand to the Centre for granting ST status to Pahari speaking people which is pending for last about 22 years at the Centre Government level.
“I am going to take up this issue with the Prime Minister through correspondence besides discussing it in person with him during his visit to Jammu in the first week of March”, he said and assured his firm support to the demand of the community.
The Chief Minister said that the matters regarding the upgradation of hostels, provision of scholarships and other development issues relating to Pahari speaking people would be discussed and decided in the Board meeting of Pahari Advisory Board to be held after the Assembly session.