Govt redraws SC list, adds 15 new categories

Srinagar, Oct 22: Jammu and Kashmir government has redrawn the social caste (SC) list in the Union Territory and added 15 new categories to the reserved list.
According to a notification issued by Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Sheetal Nanda those included in the list are Waghey (Chopan), Ghirath/Bhati/Chang community, Jat community, Saini community, Markabans/PonyWalas, Sochi community, Christian Biradari (converted from Hindu Valmiki), Sunar/Swarankar Teeli (Hindu Teeli along with already existing Muslim Teli), Perna/Kouro(Kaurav), Bojru/Decount/Dubdabay Brahmin Gorkans , Gorkhas, West Pakistani refugees (excluding SCs) and Acharyasa.
According to the notification, potters (Kumahars), shoe repairers (working without the aid of machines), Bangies, Khakrobes (sweepers), barbers, washerman and Dooms have been respectively substituted by Kumahars, Mochi, Bangies Khakrobes, Hajjam Atrai, Dhobi, and Dooms (excluding SCs).
The newly added groups would now have the benefits of reservations in jobs and education.
According to the notification, Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha had issued an order to redraw the social caste list under the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act, 2004.
The decision follows a recent announcement by Union Home Minister Amit Shah to grant Scheduled Tribe status to the Pahari-speaking people in Jammu and Kashmir.
According to the notification, the Jammu and Kashmir administration also substituted the term “Pahari-speaking people” with “Pahari ethnic people” to avoid legal hassles.