J&K Cabinet sub-committee to look into reservation policy

The National Conference, during the Assembly polls, had promised that it would relook the reservation policy if voted to power.

The CM told media persons in Srinagara that “the cabinet sub committee will have three ministers who will take a holistic view of the reservation policy and see what has been done”. Abdullah said that “youth especially those belonging to the open category feel that they are not getting their rights’’. “On the other hand, those who have been included in the reservation do not want any change in the policy,’’ he said, adding the “cabinet sub committee will see whether we have exceeded the limit’’.

Minister for Jal Shakti and Forests, Javed Ahmed Rana said: “As per the directions of the Chief Minister, the sub committee will hold talks with all stakeholders as dialogue and consensus are crucial in such matters.’’

Notably, J&K Public Service Commission recently advertised 575 posts of lecturers, with only 238 in the open category and 337 in the reserved categories, inviting criticism and protests.

The reservation policy was changed after the Centre included the Pahari ethnic group along with Gadda Brahmins, Kolis and Paddari tribe in the list of Scheduled Tribe and granted them 10% additional reservation.