Srinagar, July 21: The people of Phari community in the valley have expressed their resentment over the decision of setting Rs 8 lakh income slab for issuing of reservation certificates.
Last week social welfare department J&K clarified that the income slab of Rs 8 lakh as provided in Proviso Second of clause (o) of section 2 of the Reservation Act, 2004 is applicable to Pahari Speaking People (PSP) which sent shock waves among the community.
Many members of the community said backward class commission has categorized Phari as the tribe of J&K and if PSP is tribal category then how come income ceiling of 8 lakh which is applicable to economically weaker section and backward classes.
Dr Jahangir Danish, a congress leader from north Kashmir’s Karnah tehsil said the decision taken by the government proves to be a joke for the Phari community. “Earlier we have been demanding the status of ST but later we were given PSP and we welcomed it. Now the setting of income slab for the community is a wrong decision,” he said.
He said, “We appeal to the government for revocation of income slab system otherwise we will protest against this decision”.
Javid Mirchal, a leader of Apni party from Karnah said recently a delegation of their party met J&K Lieutenant Governor (LG) in Kupwara. “He assured that within three months the government will revoke the income slab on Pahari tribe,” he said.
Dr Sajjad Shafi, vice president JKNC North Zone said there is no benefit of 4% of a reservation which has been given to Phari community as the government has set up income slab for it.
“I urge the government of India and J&K UT administration to reconsider this genuine issue and roll back income slab on PSP and issue the order where there should not be any income slab for people belonging to Phari tribe like ST and SC,” he said.
Naveed Bukhtiyar, a lawyer and activist said but this reservation should be in par with ST and SC category. “Otherwise this reservation will not serve any purpose. Moreover, how can Rs 8 lakh income cap decides who is Phari or not,” he said.
“If ST category people and Pahari speaking people enjoy the same social and economic status then why Pharis have been excluded from this category,” he added.(GNS)
