Jamshedpur, Oct. 28: The government has granted the longstanding demand of the Sikh community in the state for permanent residential proof certificates.

This was announced by welfare minister Ramesh Singh Munda, today at the first annual conference of the Jharkhand Alpsankhyak Sikh Sangharsh Samiti (JASSS) at Michael John Auditorium in Bistupur.

JASSS general secretary Amrendra Singh Minde said Sikhs in the state were only issued temporary residential certificates valid for six months.

This deprived them of various welfare and financial assistance schemes of the government meant for minorities and deprived classes.

The government decision will make Sikhs, who have been living in the state for more than 10 years, eligible for a permanent certificate.

Munda said the certificate will be helpful in getting the Sikh community reservations in higher education in government-aided technical institutions in keeping with the reservation policy of the state.

This will also make them eligible for loans under state and central welfare schemes, he added.

The minister said: “The Sikh community, which is known all over the world for its ability to work hard, should take advantage of the governments decision and find means of self-employment using government-sponsored loan schemes.” The minister said welfare of minority communities tops the priority list of the government. The state minority commission too has a Sikh representative.

“Very soon the number of representatives from the Sikh community would be increased,” he said.

Regarding the JASSS demand for backward caste status to Sikhs who figure on the backward communities’ list in Punjab, Munda asked JASSS president Niranjan Singh to submit the list to the ministry.

Munda hinted that the demand for formation of a “Gurumukhi Board” similar to the “Wakf Board” for propagation of Gurumukhi education in the state and a “pilgrimage committee” on the lines of Haj committee, would also be granted by the government.

Though this was a state conference, the representation was limited to people belonging to the steel city and its adjoining areas.

This was probably because of differences in the Sikh community which was indicated by Munda while he was addressing the conference. “Some people from the steel city called me up and requested me not to attend the conference,” he said.

However, Santa Singh and Tarsen Singh, representatives of the Siromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee — the apex body of the community —ruled out any infighting in the community.