Srinagar, Oct 20: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah has reiterated his full support to the Pahari speaking people for Schedule Tribe (ST) status for which proposal has already been recommended by the State Government to the Centre for approval.           
 Taking review of the functioning and activities of the J&K State Advisory Board for Development of Pahari speaking people, the Chief Minister said his Government would continue to pursue at the Central level for ST status for the Pahari people.           
 “Justice to all sections of the society and equitable development across the State is my Government’s benchmark”, he said adding his Government would strive hard in the direction of getting ST status for Pahari speaking people. “We want that you should get your right without snatching anything from anyone”, he asserted and assured that the development of all sections of the society was equally dear to his Government.
 Referring to the State’s adoring characteristics of mutual amity and brotherhood, the Chief Minister said the children of different sections of the society should be groomed in such an atmosphere which would help to further cement the relations between various sections of the population.
 He suggested construction of mega hostels instead of separate ones for separate communities. “This would help housing of children of all communities in one building as per their population status”, he said elaborating that it would also help them grow in an atmosphere of amity and brotherhood and strengthen the harmony.
 “Instead of constructing different hostels for accommodating the students of different communities separately, I would like you all to strive for building large hostels where the children of all the communities live together, share kitchen and playfields and interact with each other”, he said underlining its importance for nurturing the pluralistic character of the State.
 Omar said henceforth, only one mega hostel would be preferred in coming up degree colleges where students of all the communities will be accommodated in one hostel as per their role in that institution. He said this was imperative to strengthen the State’s fabric of communal harmony and brotherhood.           
 The Chief Minister approved various proposals pertaining to the development of Pahari speaking people and directed the Board to route many other proposals through the Social Welfare Department for the approval of the Government.           
 Omar said during the last two and the half years his Government had raised the grants of Pahari Board from Rs 2.40 crores to over Rs 14 crores. “My Government would extend all possible assistance to the Board to accomplish its agenda of holistic development of this section of the society”, he said.
 The Chief Minister approved the part-time coaching of Pahari students in the hostels. He asked the Social Welfare Department to come up with a detailed proposal for granting mobile schools and mobile medical aid centres to the migratory population of Pahari speaking people after examining all aspects in this regard. He also directed for working out a proposal for the construction of Pahari Sarais at Srinagar and Jammu.               
 The Board discussed matters pertaining to the grant of ST status to Pahari speaking people of the State, conferring OBC status to Paharis till ST status is granted, enhancement of outlay under infrastructural development programme, opening of boys and girls hostels, creation of staff, relaxation of percentage of marks, sanctioning of scholarships, part time coaching in Pahari hostels, opening up of mobile schools and mobile medical aid centres for migratory Pahari people and construction of sarais in Srinagar and Jammu.           
 J&K State Advisory Board for Pahari speaking people, Vice-Chairman, Mushtaq Ahmad Bukhari presented resume of the achievements registered by the Board during last over two and the half years.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 20 Oct 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 20 Oct 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:00:00 IST