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JAMMU FEBRUARY 13:-In the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Tribal Affairs Minister Javed Ahmad Rana today firmly countered demands raised by MLAs of the Bharatiya Janata Party seeking extension of the ST-2 category to additional sections of the population in Jammu.
Responding during a detailed discussion in the House, the Minister categorically stated that any move to broaden the ambit of Scheduled Tribe benefits beyond genuinely marginalized communities would undermine the constitutional safeguards specifically designed to uplift historically disadvantaged tribal populations.
He clarified that the inclusion of the Pahari ethnic group in the Scheduled Tribes list was based on comprehensive assessments of their educational and economic backwardness, further compounded by the challenges faced by communities residing along the Line of Control.
“This was not a political concession,” the Minister stated, “but a constitutional responsibility toward communities that have endured neglect and deprivation for over seven decades.”
Underscoring the distinct socio-economic realities of tribal populations, he remarked, “Agar Gandhi Nagar aur Lal Chowk wale ST lein ge to humara (Tribes) kya ga?”, referencing Gandhi Nagar and Lal Chowk to highlight the contrast between urban, relatively developed localities and remote tribal regions facing systemic disadvantages.
The Minister reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to protecting the rights, identity and entitlements of Scheduled Tribes in Jammu & Kashmir, ensuring that constitutional provisions remain focused on those most in need.
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