Border Villages in Jammu Await Long-Overdue Reservation Benefits: BWO Chairman Avinash Choudhary Meets Union Minister Ramdas Athawale
Central Minister Assures Swift Action on Inclusion of 14 Villages in IB Reservation List
||Black and White Digital News ||
||March 12,2025 ||
Delhi/Jammu – The longstanding issue of reservation benefits for border villages along the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir gained fresh momentum as Avinash Choudhary, Chairman of the Border Welfare Organisation (BWO), met Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Ramdas Athawale, in Delhi. Choudhary raised concerns over the exclusion of 14 villages in the Ramgarh sector of district Samba and other settlements along the border, demanding their inclusion in the IB reservation list.
Decades of Neglect: Border Villages Deprived of Entitlements
Choudhary highlighted the plight of border residents, stating that despite being promised reservation benefits under a policy designed to assist communities affected by cross-border hostilities, many villages continue to be excluded. The IB reservation scheme mandates that all villages located within a 6-kilometer aerial distance from the border must be included in the reservation list. However, implementation has remained inconsistent, leaving many families ineligible for education and job quotas meant for their upliftment.
The border population, which frequently faces Pakistani shelling, economic instability, and displacement, has been demanding justice for years. Choudhary emphasized that excluding these villages contradicts the intent of the policy, as the very communities most affected by border tensions remain deprived of crucial benefits.
Repeated Appeals Ignored: Allegations of Administrative Apathy
Choudhary informed Minister Athawale that the issue had been raised repeatedly with both state and central governments, yet no concrete action was taken. He recalled that during a previous visit of a Union Minister to Jammu and Kashmir, the Commissioner Secretary of the Social Welfare Department, Sheetal Nanda, and other officials were made aware of the issue. Despite assurances, the situation remained unchanged.
One of the major contentions raised was the ₹8 lakh annual income criterion for availing IB reservation benefits. Choudhary argued that border shelling does not discriminate based on income levels, and all affected families should be eligible for support. He called for the removal of this restriction, labeling it as an unnecessary bureaucratic hurdle that further marginalizes deserving residents.
Official Reports Confirm Eligibility, Yet No Action Taken
A written request for the inclusion of the 14 villages was submitted to the Commissioner Secretary of the Social Welfare Department, leading to an official directive from the Divisional Commissioner to the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Samba to conduct a ground survey. The survey confirmed that these villages fall within the 6-kilometer reservation zone and are legally entitled to IB reservation benefits. The report was forwarded to the Social Welfare Department, yet no action followed, leaving hundreds of families in limbo.
Choudhary accused certain officials within the Jammu and Kashmir administration of deliberately stalling the process, preventing the implementation of central welfare schemes. While acknowledging the Centre’s proactive stance on border welfare, he criticized the local bureaucracy for inefficiency and negligence.
Minister Athawale Intervenes: Assures Corrective Measures
Minister Ramdas Athawale responded positively to the concerns raised by Avinash Choudhary, assuring immediate intervention. He directly contacted the relevant departments and issued written directives to include all eligible villages within the 6-kilometer range in the IB reservation list without further delay.
Furthermore, Athawale agreed to push for the removal of the ₹8 lakh income cap, ensuring that all border residents facing cross-border hostilities receive the benefits intended for them.
Hope for Border Residents
Avinash Choudhary expressed gratitude to Minister Athawale for addressing the long-pending concerns of border communities. If the directives are executed effectively, it will mark a significant relief for thousands of families who have been waiting for years to receive the benefits they are entitled to.
With the central government’s renewed commitment, border residents now await tangible action from the state administration. The coming weeks will determine whether the long-overdue policy correction finally materializes or if bureaucratic delays continue to hinder relief for these vulnerable communities.
Jammu and Kashmir
Ramdas Athawale
Border Welfare Organisation
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