Adil Salaam
Srinagar, 23 July: Social Activist and Chairman, J&K PUKAAR (NGO) Syed Nazakat Khaleefa. said that Pahari Speaking People (PSP) means those persons belonging to Pahari Community, clan or tribe having distinct cultural, ethnic and linguistic identity to be identified in such manner as may be prescribed and by such Authority as may be appointed by the Government.
“It is learnt that the authority to allot PSP category certificates has been given to Tehsildars but the parameters to be used for issuing these certificates are confusing and irrational, said Syed.”
While speaking about insufficient clarification by the Government, Syed stated, “the parameters to be used for identifying the Pahari Speaking People (PSP) has left our community residing in Union territory of jammu and Kashmir in an extreme confusion.”
Due to the addition of income criteria, majority of Pahari speaking are feeling a fear of exclusion from PSP category despite being natives of Kashmir.
Syed, while explaining his concern said, “the new notification is unclear as a part of it says people who have a different ethnicity, or belong to a tribe, etc. are entitled to get this benefit, but in another section it is written that who speak Pahari will get the reservation, so government needs to clear it first who are entitled to get the PSP certificate.”
He also demanded Immediate revocation of a parameter based on income of a pahari household. “It is sheer injustice and we are united till end. We will not let this parameter based on income to be part of PSP category, added Syed.”
