Peoples Conference President and MLA Handwara Sajad Lone today criticised the government for what he termed as a deliberate attempt to avoid sharing “basic information” on recruitment and reservations in Jammu and Kashmir.
In his statement, Lone said that his questions regarding reservations had been “clubbed” with another member’s query despite having no overlap in content.
“I had submitted two questions about reservations. Both or at least one of them have been clubbed with the question of a fellow honourable member. I fail to understand. There is no overlap in terms of content,” he remarked.
Accusing the government of “stonewalling every effort” to seek clarity on the issue, Lone questioned the administration’s reluctance to place recruitment and reservation data in the public domain.
“Why is the government not willing to share basic information on recruitments? Why is it stonewalling every effort to resolve the issue of reservations” he asked.
Referring to his interventions in the previous Assembly session, PC President said his intent was to examine the broader implications of reservation policies on human resource development and regional equity.
“I wanted to gather information in order to be able to define unambiguously the consequences of reservation, the regional disparities and its long-term negative impact on human resource development,” he explained.
Reiterating that the issue could be objectively studied, Lone added, “I still believe it is possible to mathematically evaluate the impact of reservations. But it seems seeking simple answers, gathering information has become a luxury in the present government.”
In its written response in Assembly, J&K government said that currently, reservation in recruitment and government jobs and admissions in professional institutions is provided in accordance with the provisions outlined in the Jammu & to Kashmir Reservation Act, 2004 and the Rules made thereunder in the year 2005, read with S.O. 176 of 2024 dated 15.03.2024.
The Government said that in view of a large number of grievances received from various sections of the society regarding the existing reservation rules, the Government constituted a Cabinet Sub-Committee to examine these grievances in consultation with all stakeholders and concerned and rationalize the existing reservation policy across all categories.
“The Cabinet Sub-Committee, after due deliberations and consultations with various stakeholders, has submitted its report before the Council of Ministers, which shall be finalized in due course of time after obtaining the requisite approval of the Competent Authority, ” the government said.
