Paharis, Bakerwals to get ST reservation, Gujjars will continue to get benefits as earlier: HM Amit Shah

Baramulla, Oct 05: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said that Paharis and Bakerwals will get reservations as Scheduled Tribes (ST) and clarified that there will be no change in reservation for Gujjars and they will continue to enjoy benefits as earlier.
Addressing a public rally in Baramulla, the Home Minister said earlier due to Article 370, Gujjar-Bakarwal and Pahari people could not get the benefit of reservation in education, elections and jobs, but now after its removal, they will all get the benefits.
For this, Prime Minister Narendra Modi constituted the Justice Sharma Commission and once again an attempt has been made to connect the different communities by conducting a scientific survey of ST, SC and OBC.
Shah said Justice Sharma (G D Sharma) Commission, in its report to the Central Government, has recommended “reservation to Gujjars, Bakerwals and Paharis”.
“While reservation will now be provided to the Pahari people, the Gujjar people will continue to enjoy the benefits of reservation that they had till now, and it will not make any difference to their share.
“I have come here to tell you that Prime Minister Narendra Modi intensely desires that after the completion of administrative procedures about these recommendations so that the Gujjars, Bakerwals, and Paharis can get the benefits of reservation,” Shah said.
After the announcement of the reservation by the center, Abdullahs are misleading Gujjars and spreading false rumors about it.
“I want to ask Gujjar’ brothers, do the Abdullahs give you anything? But I am assuring you that Pahadis, Bakerwals and Gujjars will get the reservation status,” he said.
Shah clarified that Gujjar’s will have the same share as they were getting earlier. There will be no curtailment in that share.
In 1991, Gujjars and Bakerwals were declared Scheduled Tribe by the Centre, and accordingly, they got 10 percent reservation on government jobs and admissions in professional colleges.
This made the Paharis demand the same status as they live as the Gujjars and Bakerwals, in the tough and backward terrain of Pir Panjal region, besides Baramulla and Anantnag districts.