Pulwama Mar 22: Congress MLA from Rajouri, Iftikhar Ahmed on Saturday raised concerns about the implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA) in Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking during the discussion on the grants for the Forest Department and Jal Jeevan Mission, Ahmed said, “After the removal of Article 370, BJP claimed that it implemented the Forest Rights Act in J&K and gave benefits to tribal people. But the reality is different. The Act has not been implemented. No one has received individual or community rights under it.”
He added, “Rajouri, Poonch and Pir Panjal region are tribal areas. The Gujjar-Bakarwal and Pahadi communities have been living in these forests for generations. The land belongs to them under the Act. But even today, the department continues to harass them. I just received a message that people are being removed from their land in Dangri. I urge the minister to form a committee and monitor the situation because these are poor people. If the Act exists, it should be implemented.”
Highlighting the issues faced by tribal students, the MLA said the government announced the opening of new Gujjar-Bakarwal and Pahadi hostels, but the condition of existing hostels is poor. “Students receive only Rs 100 per day for food, which is not enough. They are not getting books, and the hostels lack basic infrastructure. Many hostel staff members are contractual and have not been paid salaries for years. Their wages should be increased. If salaries are not paid, how will hostels function?” he said.
On the issue of reservations, Iftikhar said Rajouri, Poonch and Chenab Valley are among the most backward areas in J&K. “There was discrimination against them for the past 70 years. The government granted 10% reservation for Gujjar-Bakarwal and 10% for the Pahadi tribe, which we welcome. But now, there are talks of changing or removing this reservation. I request the government not to disturb the reservation of Gujjar-Bakarwal, Pahadi, SC, or other backward communities because they are economically weak,” he said.
The MLA also raised concerns about reservation in promotions, saying ST, SC and OBC employees had reservation in promotions, but the matter went to court. “Recently, the High Court gave an order regarding this. The government should implement it so that these employees get the benefits,” he said.
Ahmed urged the minister to ensure that government schemes benefit all eligible communities, including Pahadis and other Scheduled Tribe groups.
