SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to establish a sub-committee to review the contentious reservation policy in the region, Cabinet Minister Javed Rana announced on Friday. The decision aims to address growing concerns over perceived imbalances in job quotas and ensure an inclusive approach by engaging with all stakeholders.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has instructed cabinet ministers to act promptly on this matter, underlining the urgency of resolving the issue. Rana said that the government is committed to delivering on its electoral promises and has set a 100-day deadline to implement key commitments, including reforms in the reservation system.
This decision comes against a backdrop of rising political and public discontent. JKNC leader Ruhullah Mehdi has been vocal about the perceived inequities, highlighting statistics that claim only 26 per cent of jobs are allocated to the open merit category, which constitutes 70 per cent of the population. Mehdi has pledged to protest if the concerns are not addressed by the end of the upcoming parliamentary session in December.
Further criticism has emerged from PDP MLA Waheed Parra, who questioned the continuation of a reservation policy introduced during the BJP regime. Parra pointed out that a significant portion of lecturer posts recently referred for recruitment were reserved, leaving fewer opportunities for open merit candidates.
The formation of the sub-committee is seen as a response to these mounting pressures, with the government acknowledging the need for a balanced and equitable system. How effectively this initiative addresses the grievances will be critical in determining public and political satisfaction with the NC-led administration.
Meanwhile, National Conference Member Parliament from Srinagar Syed Aga Ruhullah Mehdi on Friday said that the government is doing its job wherever it has clear powers and that the reservation policy won’t be aimed at snatching somebody’s rights but at rationalising it.
“There is no clarity in the rules of business yet. The document has been sent to the LG office. Decisions would be taken accordingly as and when there would be any response from the LG’s office. Things that are in the domain of elected government, are being taken seriously and decisions taken as well,” he said while talking to reporters after visiting the fire affected people of Abi Gurpora area of Dal lake in Srinagar.
He was accompanied by local MLA Tanvir Sadiq and NC MLA from Gulmarg Farooq Shah.
He said open merit needs to be rationalised. “This is what I wanted to convey through my tweet. I wanted to convey to those demanding rationalisation that if the government won’t take any decision on it, I will join them and accompany them in getting their demands addressed. I also told them that I will accompany them to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and ensure that their demands are met forthwith by the government,” Mehdi said.
About the rehabilitation of fire-affected people, Mehdi said that the government is trying its best to provide all possible support to 26 families whose houses were damaged in the blaze recently.
“Steps are being taken by the MLA concerned and the government to ensure all the affected people are rehabilitated before the snowfall or bad weather,” he said
