Reservation Row: CM announces cabinet sub-committee

Srinagar, Nov 22: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Friday said that the Jammu and Kashmir government had constituted a cabinet sub-committee which would take a “holistic view” of the Reservation Policy.

Speaking to the media here, the CM said, “The main issue discussed in today’s cabinet was reservation. We talked about it and decided to establish a sub-committee to review the reservation policy.”

Acknowledging the growing concerns and competing perspectives, he highlighted the nuanced nature of the reservation debate.

“A lot is being said about reservation. Problems and complaints are being expressed by youth,” CM Omar said.

He was particularly emphatic about balancing different stakeholder interests.

“Our youth, especially those in the open category, feel that they are not getting their rights. But at the same time, those who have been brought into the reservation do not want to see any shortcomings in their rights. That is why the cabinet has decided today to establish a sub-committee,” the CM said. “They have been given time. The sub-committee will present its report to the cabinet. And then we will be able to make a decision.”

Detailing the sub-committee composition and mandate, he said, “There will be three ministers in that sub-committee. The cabinet has asked them to take a holistic view of the issue of reservation.”

CM Omar stressed the need for a comprehensive examination, including assessing adherence to the Supreme Court directions.

“We don’t want to snatch anybody’s right, but at the same time, there is no discrimination against anybody,” he said.

The announcement comes in the wake of growing tensions triggered by recent government advertisements for 575 lecturer positions, where only 238 posts were allocated for open merit candidates.

This, coupled with early 2024 amendments to the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act that increased reserved category quota to 60 percent while reducing general category opportunities to 40 percent, had heightened calls for a thorough policy review.