WP refugees, Gorkhas among 15 castes categorised as OBCs

Jammu, Mar 17:  West Pakistan (WP) refugees (excluding SCs), Gorkhas, Jats, Saini community and Christian biradari (converted from Hindu Valmiki) are among fifteen new castes which have been added to the category of Other Backward Classes (OBCs), expanding it to a group of 41 castes, with an enhanced reservation slab i.e., 8 percent.

Besides them, other OBCs will include Bahach Hanjie, Shikara Wallas and Bhat Hanji excluding house boat owners; fishermen including Gada Hanz; Markabans whose sole livelihood depends on Markabani; Kumahars; Shaksaz; Mochi; Bangies Khakrobes; Hajjam/Nai; Dhobi; Bhands, Baghat; Mirasis; Madari/Bazigars; Kulfaqir; Dambali Faqir; Dooms (excluding SCs); Shupri Wattal; Sansis; Sikligars; Jheewars; Gharati (Rural only); Teeli, Telwani, Teeli (Hindu along with already existing Muslim Teeli); Lohars; Tarkhans, Najars; Gilkar (Mason); Labana community; Sheer-Gojries, Gojri, Gojar; Yogi/Jogi/Nath and Bouria/Boria/Bowaria Communities; Waghey (Chopan); Ghirath/Bhati/Chang community; Markabans/Pony Walas; Sochi Community; Sunar/Swarankar/Zargar; Perna/ Kouro (Kaurav); Bojru/ Decount/ Dubdabay Brahmin; Gorkans and Acharyas.

This significant decision was part of major decisions approved by the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha-led Administrative Council, fulfilling the government's commitment to different deprived sections, a day ahead of the imposition of Model Code of Conduct (MCC).

Besides, nomenclature and synonymy of some castes as recommended by the SEBC Commission have also been changed.

Following it, these communities will be able to get representation in government jobs and professional courses.

Approving the proposal of Social Welfare Department to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Rules, 2005 in light of Jammu & Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Act, 2023 dated December 15, 2023; Constitution (Jammu & Kashmir) Scheduled Castes Order (Amendment) Act, 2024, Constitution (Jammu & Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Act, 2024 and recommendations of Jammu and Kashmir Socially and Educationally Backward Classes Commission, the Council had also approved 10 percent reservation for four new tribes i.e. Pahari Ethnic Group, Paddari Tribe, Kolis and Gadda Brahmins, recently added to the Scheduled Tribes Order as applicable to the J&K by the Parliament.

This step raised the overall ST reservation to 20 percent in J&K, ensuring that both already notified and now newly added tribes could get benefits of 10 percent reservation (each) equally and separately. Approval was also accorded to replace the term physically challenged persons or handicapped wherever appearing in the rules with the term Persons with Disabilities (PwD) in conformity with the provisions of Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.