Amid protests, 3-member ministerial panel formed to examine quota policy

Giving in to the demand of protesters, the Jammu and Kashmir Government on Tuesday constituted a three-member ministerial committee to examine the new reservation policy that was implemented in the UT.

An order issued by the Jammu and Kashmir General Administration Department granted sanction to the constitution of the sub-committee, which will examine the grievances of a section of aspirants in consultation with other stakeholders.

The government order named three cabinet ministers — Sakina Itoo, Javed Rana and Satish Sharma — as the members of the panel. “The committee shall be serviced by the Social Welfare Department and shall submit its report to the Council of Ministers,” the order said.

Last month, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had announced that the Cabinet had decided to form a sub-committee to engage with all stakeholders on the issue.

Earlier this year, the Union Territory Administration, under Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha, introduced a 10 per cent reservation for the Pahari community, raising the total reserved seats for various categories to 60 per cent, leaving only 40 per cent of seats for candidates from the General category.

For months now, there is a growing demand by aspirants for the review of the new policy. They say the reservation policy was disastrous for the youth of Jammu and Kashmir, who come in the General category.

On Monday, medical students from Srinagar’s Government Medical College (GMC) had also staged a protest against the reduction of open merit seats. On Tuesday, medical students from Sher- i- Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, located in the Bemina area, also held protests for the same cause.

The recent changes to the Jammu and Kashmir reservation policy have been challenged in the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court too.

Last week, a division Bench of the High Court scheduled a hearing on the matter for December 27, saying, “Any appointment made under the pursuant SO under challenge shall be subject to the outcome of the petition.”

Another petition related to the matter is also set to be heard by the court on December 27.