Set a timeline to address reservation issue: Altaf Bukhari tells government

Srinagar, Jun 19: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Thursday urged the government to set a timeline for addressing the reservation issue.

In his statement, Bukhari said, “As per reports, the government has sent the Cabinet Sub-Committee (CSC) report on reservations to the Law Department for review. Some media reports also suggest that the government wants the CSC to revise the report. Whether the focus is on revising the report or obtaining legal vetting, it is essential that a clear and fixed timeline be established.”

He added that the government may argue that by sending the CSC reservation report to the Law Department for review, it has followed the proper procedure to proceed on this issue. “This is technically true. But by not setting a timeline for the return of the report from the Law Department, the government has effectively put this matter on the back burner. The legal vetting could take months,” Bukhari said.

Emphasising the need for a judicious reservation policy, Apni Party President said, “One thing is clear beyond doubt: our current reservation policy is highly flawed and injudicious. There is broad consensus that we require a more judicious reservation policy to protect merit. This issue is not about political or social ideologies, nor about religious or regional identities— it is a matter of ensuring justice for all stakeholders. With each passing day, merit continues to get undermined. Therefore, the government must act swiftly on this matter and avoid any delaying tactics.”