Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's cabinet on Wednesday approved amendments to the reservation policy in Jammu and Kashmir. The proposal has now been sent for the approval of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. It is hoped that long-pending reservation issues will be resolved once the Lieutenant Governor grants his approval.
Jammu: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's cabinet on Wednesday stamped its approval on the rationalization of reservation in the region. Following the government's consent, the proposal passed by the cabinet has been sent for the approval of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, and it is hoped that long-pending reservation-related issues will be resolved once he grants his approval.
Cabinet Gives Its Approval
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stated that a transparent and rational process was adopted for the rationalization of the reservation policy. He informed that the matter came before the cabinet four times after discussions in the assembly and was finally finalized based on the recommendations of a cabinet-level sub-committee. The sub-committee, headed by Minister Sakina Ittoo, had also sought public suggestions. The policy was formulated taking into account suggestions received from the public and various stakeholders.
Under this revised policy, an increase in reservation for the General Category has been recommended. Currently, the General Category receives 40 percent reservation, while the total reservation ceiling has reached 60 percent. According to government sources, to increase the quota for the General Category, reservations will be curtailed from the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and residents of backward areas (RBA).
Existing Reservation in the Region
| Category | Reservation Percentage |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 20% |
| Gujjars-Bakerwals | (10%) |
| Pahari Community | (10%) |
| Other Backward Class (OBC) | 8% |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 8% |
| Border Area Residents (RBA) | 4% |
| Residents of Backward Areas | 10% |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | 10% |
Minister Ittoo's Committee Submits Report
It is noteworthy that the EWS category could see the largest reduction, approximately 7 percent. The objective of this amendment is to rationalize and balance reservations, ensuring adequate representation for the General Category as well. The cabinet-level sub-committee, led by Education and Health Minister Sakina Ittoo, conducted a comprehensive study of the reservation situation in the state. The committee recommended an increase in the General Category's quota and a balanced distribution of reservations.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stated, "We have formulated the reservation policy with rationalization. The government has done as much as it could. The cabinet's agenda will be made public after the Lieutenant Governor's approval." Omar Abdullah also clarified that transparency and public participation were prioritized in this process. The policy was not limited merely to cabinet approval but also incorporated people's suggestions and experiences.
