Jammu, Mar 12: The Forest Minister Mian Altaf on Saturday contested the statement of Social Welfare Minister, Sakina Itoo that Gujjars were not being ignored in north Kashmir’s Bandipore constituency.
The Social Welfare Minister, while replying to a question by the PDP legislator  Nizam-ud-Din Bhat about the number of Gujjar Patis (Tribal Habitations) in Bandipore constituency, told the Legislative Assembly that there were 49 Gujjar Pattis in 31 villages with a total population of 29, 574.
Bhat, however, claimed that 14 villages of Gujjars have not been listed in the statement provided by the minister and a large population is still deprived of Tribal Development Schemes especially in health, education, power, agriculture and social welfare sectors.
While the Social Welfare Minister assured the PDP MLA to look into the matter, the Forest Minister stood up from his seat and said that Gujjar population was being ignored in the constituency and he endorsed the assertion of the PDP MLA which received a thumping applause from the opposition benches.
“Gujjars should be given their due share under Article 275 and we should do justice with these people. Agar Main Minister Hoon To Isska Matlab Yeh Nahi Ki Main Aankein Bandh Kar Loo (If I am a minister it does not mean I will shut my eyes). Inn Logo Ka Jo Haq Hai Woh Inko Milna Chahiye (They should be given their due share),” the minister remarked.
The Minister’s remarks were appreciated by the PDP MLAs who welcomed his statement by thumping benches. The Social Welfare Minister however, asserted that under T&P and Article 275, an amount of Rs 40 lakh have been spent for the welfare of the community during last financial year.
She also assured that all left over tribal habitations in the constituency would be incorporated for the benefits of tribal scheme.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 12 Mar 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 12 Mar 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 13 Mar 2011 00:00:00 IST