RESERVATION TO STs IN J&K
- February 16, 2022
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
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RESERVATION TO STs IN J&K
TOPIC: Polity
Context- The Jammu and Kashmir Delimitation Commission has recently shared its interim report & proposed reservation of nine seats for Scheduled Tribes (ST). It is for the first time that seats have been reserved for the ST community in the legislative Assembly of J&K.
Concept-
- The dilution of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, and the subsequent Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 changed political dynamics in the region.
- It promised them political reservation under Article 332 and led to the extension of the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
Constitutionally Guaranteed Reservation to STs:
- Article 332 of the Constitution of India provides for reservation of seats for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes in the Legislative Assemblies of the States.
- In Jammu & Kashmir, eight communities vide the Constitution (Jammu & Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order, 1989 and four communities, namely Gujjar, Bakarwal, Gaddi and Sippi were notified as the Scheduled Tribes vide the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Act, 1991.
- Out of twelve (12) Scheduled Tribes, Gujjar is the most populous tribe followed by Bakarwal and Brokpa.
- Other Tribes include: Balti, Purigpa, Gaddi, Sippi, Changpa, Mon, Garra and Beda.
- Among all the tribes, Beda is the smallest group with a population of 128.