New Reservation Rules | Aspirants urge KU to re-advertise faculty positions

Srinagar, May 28: Amid the demand from aspirants to re-advertise faculty positions at the University of Kashmir (KU), as per the new reservation rules, the varsity authorities said that the amendments in reservation rules will not apply to the ongoing recruitment process.

The aspirants said that the positions advertised in 2023 vide Advertisement Nos 13, 14, and 15 for Assistant Professors, Associate Professors and Professors, should be re-advertised as per the new reservation policy.

“The positions advertised in 2023 were initially notified by the prevailing reservation policies at that time, as mandated by the J&K Reservation Act of 2004, amended in the years 2016, 2019, and 2022,” the aspirants said.

They have also submitted a representation to the varsity administration and said that the recent developments in reservation rules have brought about significant changes in the reservation landscape of the region post approval of a revised reservation policy by Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha, who is the chancellor of the J&K universities.

“On December 6, 2023, the Lok Sabha passed the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023, amending the reservation quotas in Jammu and Kashmir. This legislative milestone has been endorsed by the LG on March 15, 2024, as documented in SO No 176,” the representation read. “The decision to extend reservation benefits to newly-included tribes, including the Pahari community under the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category, as well as the addition of 15 new castes to the Other Backward Classes (OBCs), stands as a testament to J&K government’s commitment to social justice and inclusive development.”

The aspirants said that the amendments made to the J&K Reservation Rules, 2005, reflect a proactive approach towards addressing the needs and aspirations of various marginalised sections of our society.

“In light of these progressive measures, it becomes imperative to ensure that the recruitment process within educational institutions including KU aligns with the updated reservation policy,” the aspirants said.

They said that the re-advertisement of faculty positions by the new reservation norms could extend a much-needed opportunity for individuals belonging to “disadvantaged communities” to access employment opportunities and contribute meaningfully to the academic and intellectual landscape of the university.

“The proactive intervention in this matter will not only address the aspirations of deserving candidates but also reaffirm the values of justice and equality that form the bedrock of our democratic ethos,” the aspirants said.

Talking to Greater Kashmir, Registrar KU, Prof Naseer Iqbal said that it was not possible to re-advertise the faculty positions as the screening of the applications had been already done.

“The recruitment process has already started and the amendments in the reservations rules will be implemented for new recruitments,” he said.