Gorkhas in Uttarakhand demand recognition as a tribal group

DEHRADUN: The over 12 lakh Gorkhas in Uttarakhand demand recognition as a tribal group. The demand grew even more strident after Gorkhas in West Bengal and Sikkim were reportedly to be granted tribal status.

All India Gorkha Ex-Servicemen Welfare Association (AIGEWA)

There are at least 15 groups of Gorkhas -- Bhujel, Gurung, Mangar, Newar, Jogi, Khas, Rai, Sunuwar, Thami and Yakhna, among them - that at present are not considered tribal groups. Groups like Bhutia and Letcha have been already been granted tribal status. Tamang and Limboo communities were recognised as tribals in 2003.

President of the All India Gorkha Ex-Servicemen Welfare Association (AIGEWA), West Bengal region, SP Pradhan, said tribal status would make for easier access to higher education and jobs for young people from the community.

In Assam, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Punjab, Sikkim, West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram, Gorkhas are listed as an Other Backward Caste (OBC) group.

Given that retirement from the army happens at an early age of 35, Gorkha ex-servicemen should be offered re-employment opportunities too, members at the AIGEWA meeting said. They have also sought that the budget allocated by the Centre for Gorkhas, which is a mere Rs 8 lakh per annum, should be increased.

Source: timesofindia

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