SRINAGAR: PDP MLA from Pulwama Waheed Para on Monday moved an adjournment motion in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, seeking an urgent debate on the Union Territory’s reservation framework and its impact on Open Merit candidates.
Para submitted the notice under Rule 56 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business as the Assembly began its Autumn Session. He alleged that the cumulative effect of the existing reservation structure had reduced the Open Merit share to below 40 per cent, raising concerns over access to education and employment opportunities.
The MLA also raised the implementation of the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) category, citing figures placed before the House. He said 26,558 EWS certificates had been issued across Jammu and Kashmir, of which 24,545 were from Jammu Division and 2,013 from Kashmir Division.
Para contrasted these figures with the distribution of beneficiaries under the free ration scheme. According to the figures cited by him, Kashmir Division had 37,64,605 beneficiaries compared with 29,76,027 in Jammu Division.
He called for an examination of the regional and district-wise implementation of the EWS category and sought a review of the eligibility requirements based on income, property and assets.
The motion also seeks an assessment of the reservation framework’s impact on unreserved youth, particularly the Kashmiri-speaking population, besides a periodic review mechanism based on current socioeconomic data, representation, educational outcomes and the availability of opportunities.
Para said the issue directly affected the educational and employment prospects of a large section of young people in Jammu and Kashmir and sought suspension of scheduled House business to facilitate an urgent discussion on the matter.
