Shadow Correspondent
Jammu, Mar, 10
Strongly flaying the govt for depriving the ‘Koli’ community of their long pending demand of ST status and reservation in govt jobs, Mr. Harsh Dev Singh JKNPP Chairman and former Minister today described their neglect as a grave injustice against a highly marginalized sect inhabiting the remote and hilly areas of Jammu province besides providing a glaring example of regional bias perpetuated against Jammu region. He said that while the Agenda of Alliance unambiguously stated in clause F of point no. 27, the commitment of the govt to provide ST status and resultant reservation to “Paharies” and “Kolis”, the latter were blatantly disregarded as the said tribe wholly belonged to Jammu region as against former who predominantly inhabited Kashmir region. He was addressing a press conference in Jammu today.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Harsh Dev Singh said that BJP-PDP had promised Job reservations and the grant of ST Status to Paharies and Koli’s during their election campaigns and had subsequently incorporated the same in the Agenda of Alliance. He however regretted that whereas the Paharies were granted 3% reservation by amending the J&K Reservation Act and similar reservation was granted to inhabitants of IB, no initiative was taken by any of the parties to fulfill the commitments made to the Koli community during elections. He said that the Koli community largely inhabit District Udhampur, District Kathua, District Doda and District Ramban, with all the elected representatives belonging to BJP from the said areas. He however regretted that not a single MLA of the said area promoted their cause in the Assembly or outside while granting reservations to Paharies who predominantly inhabit District Baramulla, District Anantnag and Kupwara of Kashmir Valley besides some pockets of Rajouri and Poonch.
Mr. Harsh Dev Singh said that the reservations in govt Jobs and grant of ST status to Kolies was forcefully projected by him during the proceedings of ‘PM’s Working Group on Centre State relations’ of which he was a member and the said group had endorsed the said demand with its positive recommendations. He said that he had further petitioned the Prime Minister of the country who had inturn sought a report on the issue from the State govt. Regretfully, he said, the state govt failed to respond. He said that he had agitated the issue in the Legislative Assembly also during his term as MLA and the govt. had assured to process the case.
Flaying the callous attitude of the concerned authorities towards the most legitimate demand of the said community, Mr. Harsh Dev Singh said that the grant of ST status to Kolis had been recommended by various Deputy Commissioners on the report sought by the state govt. but the much needed action in respect of the said recommendations is continued remain elusive Justifying the demand of Koli’s for inclusion in ST category, Mr. Harsh Dev Singh stated that Koli and Sippis belong to the same family having same culture, occupation, language, economic and social status and residing in hilly area having negligible land owner ship and are dependent upon rearing of animals. He said that whereas Sippis was included in ST category, the Koli’s were ignored inadvertently which needed to be rectified. He said that while the grant of ST status to Gaddis and Sippis was welcome but the omission of Koli’s who belonged to the same clan from the said category amounted to grave injustice which was required to be undone at the earliest. He called for necessary modifications and corrections in the Revenue records so that errors and mistakes are rectified and justice ensured to Kohlis.
Urging upon the Governor to take notice of the genuine grievance of the Koli community, Mr. Harsh Dev Singh sought initiation of appropriated steps for inclusion of the said class in ST category. He further apprised the Governor that Deputy Commissioner Kathua vide letter no. DCK/LHS/2014-15/1271-75 dated 11.12.2014; Deputy Commissioner Udhampur vide office no. DDCU/CM-Sectt./ 2014-15/1062 dated 30.05.2014; Deputy Commissioner Doda vide office no. 1106/SQ dated 22.10.2014 and Deputy Commissioner Ramban vide office no. DCR/SQ/346-48 dated 29.06.2015 addressed to Com./Sec Social Welfare Deptt have all recommended the grant of ST status to Koli’s and appealed for early action in respect of the same. He said that neglect of Kolis constituted another bizarre act of discrimination against Jammu region. He appealed the Koli community to teach a befitting lesson to the BJP in the coming elections for the treachery played upon them by the party for vote bank politics.
Mr. Parshotam Parihar State Secretary Panthers Trade Union was also present in the press conference.
