Jammu and Kashmir government re-created social caste list, 15 more classes will get the benefit of reservation

 

• The new categories in the list include Jats, West Pakistani refugees, Gorkhas, Waghis, Pony Walas.

The Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday issued an order redrawing the social caste list by adding 15 new categories under the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act, 2004.

The new classes in the list include Jats, West Pakistani refugees, Gorkhas, Waghis, Pony Walas.

In a notification, the JK Government said, "In exercise of the powers conferred by the first provision of clause (o) of section 2 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act, 2004, and on the recommendations of the Jammu and Kashmir Socially and Educationally Backward Classes The Commission, the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, hereby directs that the following amendments shall be made to the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Rules, 2005.

As per the notification 15 more classes were added to its social caste category list.

The new classes added to the list are Waghe (Chopan), Ghirath/Bhati/Chang community, Jat community, Saini community, Markaban/Poniwala, Sochi community, Christian fraternity (converted from Hindu Valmiki), Goldsmith/Swarnakar Teli (including Hindu Teli) With pre-existing Muslim Teli), Perna/Kauro (Kauravas), Bojru/Decount/Dubdabe Brahmin Gorkans, Gorkhas, West Pakistani Refugees (except SC) and Acharyas.

The Jammu and Kashmir government also amended the names of existing social castes by removing them.

"In Annexure-D to the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Rules, 2005:- (i) for the words Kumhar (Potter), Shoe Repairer (Working without the aid of machines), Bangi Khakrob (Sweeper), Barber, Washer, Qayamat, the notification issued by the Jammu and Kashmir Social Welfare Department Civil Secretariat, Jammu, said that the Kumahars, Mochis, Bangij Khakrobs, Hajjam Atrays, Dhobis and Dooms (except SCs) would be replaced respectively.

The second change made in the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Rules, 2005 is that the words "Pahari Ethnic People" shall be substituted for "Pahari speaking people (PSP)" or "Pahari speaking people" wherever they appear.