With this, reservation will be given to the Pahari community along with Gujjars and Bakarwals in Jammu and Kashmir. The Home Minister said that the reservation will be started after completing the administrative formalities.
It is worth mentioning that in the report submitted to the government by Justice GD Sharma Commission recommended reservation for Pahari people. Justice Sharma Commission was constituted by the Central
Government in March 2020 to examine the quota benefits. There is a provision of 7% ST quota in government jobs and educational institutions in Jammu and Kashmir.
Gujjars and Bakarwals were getting the benefit of Scheduled Tribes since April 1991 whereas the Pahari community was given 4% quota in OBC category from January 2020.
Gujjars and Bakarwals are the third largest ethnic group after Kashmiris and Dogras. It accounts for 40% of the population in the border areas of Rajouri and Poonch, while the Paharis are in small numbers.
Pahari Community in Jammu and Kashmir
The Pahari speaking people (PSP) of Jammu and Kashmir are a socio- cultural and linguistic minority. The demand for Scheduled Tribe status was being made by the Pahari community since 1975.
In Jammu and Kashmir, an independent board was constituted under the administrative control of the Department of Social Welfare, Jammu and Kashmir. Its purpose is to identify the problems of the Pahari speaking people.
