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SHYAM SOOD
RAJOURI AUGUST 11:-A delegation of senior Pahari leaders from the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir met with the Chief Secretary, the Commissioner Secretary of the General Administration Department, and the Commissioner Secretary of the Social Welfare Department at the Civil Secretariat on Monday (August 11).
The meeting focused on addressing pressing concerns of the Pahari community. The delegation included Adv. Ahsan Mirza, Former Additional Advocate General; Adv. Aftab Ganai, Former Public Prosecutor; Adv. Gurdev Singh Thakur; Bharat Bhushan Vaid, Former Vice Chairman, Rajouri Municipal Council; and Muneer Mirza, Former Sarpanch.
Key issues discussed with the top officials included the long-pending release of scholarships for Pahari students. The officers assured the delegation of prompt action to resolve the matter. The leaders also urged the government to update official records to recognize the community as the “Pahari ethnic group” instead of “Pahari-speaking people,” in line with its Scheduled Tribe status.
Another major demand was the transfer of Pahari hostels from the Social Welfare Department to the Tribal Affairs Department to ensure better management and improved facilities for students. The leaders stressed the need for the effective implementation of benefits meant for Scheduled Tribes, particularly in healthcare, education, and employment.
The delegation further called for adequate representation of the Pahari community in government departments and institutions, as well as the prioritization of socio-economic development in Pahari-dominated areas, including infrastructure, healthcare, and education.
The members expressed satisfaction with the positive response from the senior officers, who assured them that the concerns raised would be addressed promptly and that necessary measures would be taken to promote the socio-economic development and well-being of the Pahari community.
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