Jammu, 8.06.2023: All India Confederation of SC/ST/OBC Organisations’ State President R K Kalsotra along with State Secy Dr Ramesh Kaith met honourable Chief Secretary, J&K to discuss the issues faced by SC/ST/OBC’s, minorities of J&K. A memorandum of demands was also submitted to His Excellency for his due consideration.
At the outset, Kalsotra extended their heartfelt gratitude to CS for giving them time and apprised him that previously they met on 17th April and was surprised to note that their memorandum was pending with no action till 1st June 2023 in CS Office and forwarded to Commr Secy SW on 2nd June whereas it was interested to Addl Secy to CS to prepare report to submits to CS for action
Kalsotra also apprised that Caste Atrocities are on a rise and Corporators & Sarpanches are being attacked. On 09.05.2023 Sarpanch Hon’ble Capt Lakhmi Chand (SC) of Thathri was attacked and abused by upper caste, Kalsotra apprised CS that he personally talked over phone to DC, SSP Doda & concerned IO DSP but till date culprits are not arrested even after registering the case under SC/ST Atrocity Act. Same is the conditions in other district of the UT.
Kalsotra also apprised the CS that even allotments of lands in favour of SCs are being cancelled, a glaring example of Chak Jangi Village of Samba and some SC allotted are not given possessions, he gave one example of Magobali Village of RS Pura where land allotted in favour of Shabu but possession not given and in others possession.
Kalsotra raised objection before CS that on their own UT Administration is curtailing the age careteria of relaxation of age of 5 years to SC/ST & 3 years to OBC & in Anganwari recruitment no relegation of age is being given which is an injustice.
Kalsotra apprised the CS that they don’t know why Govt hasn’t recognised their social leaders like Babu Parmanand ,Chajju Ram Bhagat, Masha Naar Singh, Babu Milkhi Ram, whereas many places are declared on the names of outsiders martyred in UT. Confederation held a national event on 1st June 2023 at Batote where two resolutions were adopted in favour of the son of the soil, Shaheed Bhagat Amar Nath ji, after whose sacrifice reservation was implemented in J&K, they demand first to declare Gazeted holiday in UT-J&K under NIA Act on 1 June & second naming Baglihar Hydro Electric Power Project to be named as Shaheed Bhagat Amar Nath Hydro Electric Power Project and his life should be taken as an inspiration to students.
Other demands of SC/ST/OBC and minorities were raised during the meeting. Reservation in Promotions has been stopped in J&K and it should be implemented since 2015, retrospectively. Previously it was assured that the proposal will be looked into and a meeting was also organised but unfortunately was deferred. It is requested that this should be prioritised again immediately because the progress of the society is held up due to stoppage of promotions.
There is a huge backlog of 1 lakh candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBCs. This backlog should be filled immediately. There should also be a re-advertisement of the backlog posts withdrawn by the government in PSC, SSRB, and the backlog in SKUAST, and J&K.
Kalsotra mentioned that Currently a lot of employees are working on a daily wage basis, contractual obligations, NYC youth, seasonal teachers, and ad hoc staff. None of them are on a permanent basis. Thus, they should be made permanent and the reserved category employees should be given their due benefits. Safaikaramcharis belong to the most underprivileged section and they should be made permanent on immediate notice.
A proposal for the Padma Shree Award and compensation for Teacher Rajni Bala, who got martyred in a terrorist attack in Kashmir on 31st May 2022 was also put forth by the delegation. Her daughter should also be given full pay on her behalf.
Mandal commission report hasn’t been implemented in toto which enshrines 27% reservation for OBCs. In J&K it is 4% and should be at par with central norms.
A few days back, a labourer Dipu(SC) was killed in Kashmir by Militants. The compensation given to his family was 5 lacs which is not at par with compensation given to others. We request the. Compensation should be 10 lacs and a job for his family. Earlier also on 15th December 2022 two SC youths were killed in Rajouri, J&K during a terrorist attack. They were given mere compensation but no job security. It was requested that an appointment should be given to their kin immediately so that they can have their livelihood up and running.
Scheduled Caste certificates are issued on the basis of land records but most of the SC families do not have land and have trouble getting their certificates. Thus, a separate provision should be brought to ease the issuance of their certification.
It was also highlighted that since 25th December, 2022, the Scheduled Caste Seat is lying vacant with JKPSC. This hasn’t been filled till now even though two seats for the general category were filled. Moreover, there should be representation given to ST, OBC, minorities in PSC as well as SSRB.
Recently, on 5 April, 2023, SSP Ganderbal released an order for DC Ganderbal to relocate PM Package employees due to security concerns. The situation is serious in valley and employees are being shifted, reserved category employees should also be considered to be shifted immediately by the administration. Moreover, a transfer policy should be made for such employees with due course of time.
Kalsotra also proposed that the issues of SC/ST/OBC and minorities are dynamic and ever changing. Thus, we request that there should be a quarterly meeting with the Confederation representatives to discuss their grievances and make adequate arrangements/policies to address their issues & invite Confederation to the welfare scheme meetings for review and discussion.
Lastly, the delegation demanded hostels for SC/OBC students on the lines of ST student hostels. Moreover, on the lines of police schools, kids of safaikaramcharis should also have access to quality and free education.
At the end, CS asked Commissioner Secretary, SW to make a detailed report for action.