Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday assured of a smooth seasonal migration of the Gujjar-Bakerwal community and warned of action against officers found guilty of delinquency.
The LG was interacting with a 70-member delegation of the Gujjar-Bakerwal community at Raj Bhavan here and got first-hand appraisal of their issues and grievances, an official spokesperson said.
He assured the members of the delegation that strict directions would be passed to deputy commissioners and the police department to ensure a smooth seasonal migration of the nomadic community members along with their livestock.
“Action will be taken against the officers found guilty of any delinquency during the movement of Gujjar-Bakerwal community members,” he said after being informed that the nomads face problems during their seasonal migration.
The delegation, comprising members of the community from across the union territory, led by Gujjar leader Choudhary Haroon Khatana, expressed their gratitude for implementation of the Forest Rights Act and political reservation for the benefit of the tribal community.
“For the first time in seven decades, the government is working for the welfare and interest of the Gujjar-Bakerwal community with the right intent,” official spokesperson quoted the community members as saying.
They also thanked the government for conducting free, fair and transparent DDC elections in which one of their community members — Sajida Begum — emerged as winner from Larnoo, Anantnag, after recounting.
While projecting the issues of the community, Khatana lauded the LG for his resolve and commitment towards development and prosperity of the Gujjar-Bakerwal community, spokesperson said.
Terming education as the foundation for progress of a community, the LG advised community members to promote education among the youth and assured support of the government in this process. He said education would open up more livelihood opportunities for the youth and bring prosperity in the community.
Assuring to explore possibilities to improve infrastructure of mobile schools across the union territory, he said the government has already increased remuneration of the teachers working in mobile schools from Rs 4,000 to Rs 10,000
The LG also called upon the community members for more political involvement and sustained awareness.
Addressing the issue of optimum utilization of development funds, the LG assured the delegation that an officer sensitive to the issues of Gujjar-Bakerwal community would be deputed for the welfare of the community.
He also asked the members of the delegation to submit the list of habitations with requirements pertaining to provision of basic amenities so that necessary measures could be taken in this regard.
Meanwhile, various members of the delegation interacted with the LG and raised their concerning issues. They also submitted memoranda of demands to the LG, the spokesperson said.
