Reservation policies in J&K designed for equitable development of deserving sections: Government

Srinagar, Feb 10: The government has said that reservation policies in J&K are designed to ensure “equitable development of deserving sections of society”, while maintaining merit and uniformity across regions in the UT.

The government stated that reservations were capped at 50%, with a separate 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) and 10% horizontal reservations applied beyond this ceiling.

The details furnished in response to a question (No. 1338) tabled by legislator M Yousuf Tarigami, the government detailed category-wise reservation percentages in recruitment and admissions to professional and academic Government institutions.

For direct recruitment to government services, the Government has stated the current reservation scenario as: 8% for Scheduled Castes, 20% for Scheduled Tribes (ST-1: 10%, ST-2: 10%), 8% for Other Backward Classes, 10% for Residents of Backward Areas (RBA), 4% for residents of areas adjoining the Line of Actual Control/International Border (ALC/IB). These percentages sum up to 50%. In addition, there is 10% reservation for the EWS category, and an additional 10% for Ex-Servicemen (6%) and for Persons with Disabilities (4%).

This leaves 30% of seats and vacancies for the unreserved categories.

A similar pattern applies to admissions in professional institutions, with horizontal reservations of 10 % divided into 3% for Persons with Disabilities, 1% each for children of Defense personnel and Para-Military/UT Police personnel, and 2% for candidates with outstanding sports proficiency.

The government said the reservation framework follows amendments to the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act and Rules. The reply states that the vertical reservations, excluding EWS, are capped at 50%, in accordance with the Supreme Court judgments.

Moreover, the Government has said that the “creamy layer” principle for OBCs is being strictly enforced. The government has said that the reservation policy is being reviewed from time to time and that the changes deemed necessary are being made.

Responding to the inquiry on whether region-specific reservation quotas, “in consonance with the population percentages to safeguard meritocracy,” were being considered, the Government has replied negatively. “Efforts are being made by the Government to provide reservations to deserving sections of society to ensure equitable development,” reads the reply.

The reply states the Cabinet Sub-Committee’s report on reservation rationalisation has been “submitted to the Council of Ministers, and is currently under examination by the Competent Authority”.

Last week, the Government shared data pertaining to EWS certificates. The data points to a marked regional disparity in the issuance of certificates and probable benefit to the Jammu divisions. Of the 26,558 EWS certificates issued across J&K, 24,545 were issued in the Jammu Division only.  Kashmir Division accounted for only 2,013 certificates.