Pahari ethnic community added to Scheduled Tribes list of Jammu and Kashmir

• The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) has now cleared the way for the inclusion of the ‘Pahari ethnic group’ on the ST list of the J&K UT.
• The proposal also called for the inclusion of the “Paddari tribe”, “Koli” and “Gadda Brahman” communities to be included on the ST list of J&K.

Justice G.D. Sharma commission

• The suggestion for inclusion came from the commission set up for socially and educationally backward classes in J&K, headed by Justice (Retd.) G.D. Sharma.
• Govt is working to implement the recommendations.

ST communities against the move

• The Pir Panjal valley is also home to Gujjars and Bakarwals (STs)
• Resented the possibility of inclusion of Paharis in the ST list.

Prelims Takeaway

• National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)
• Major scheduled tribes of India