J&K Cabinet approves ‘rationalised’ quota policy, forwards proposal to L-G Sinha

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said his government has rationalised the reservation policy “in the best possible manner” to ensure fairness to all sections and to fulfil a key poll promise. The revised framework has now been forwarded to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for approval.

Speaking to reporters after chairing the first Cabinet meeting in Jammu following the resumption of the biannual Darbar Move, the Chief Minister declined to share details of the proposal. “It would be inappropriate to elaborate until the Lieutenant Governor grants his consent,” he said.

Omar said the government has invested significant effort in the rationalisation process. “As per our promise, we have tried to rationalise the reservation policy and ensure no injustice is done to anyone,” he added.

Debate over the reservation policy has been ongoing since the National Conference (NC) government took office last year. Abdullah had earlier assured the youth of the Union Territory that he would review the existing framework. “We have put in a lot of work because this issue can easily be politicised. Those who accused us of doing nothing on reservation are now threatening agitation if changes are made,” he said. “The Cabinet has adopted a fair and transparent process. Now the ball is in the L-G’s court. We considered all aspects and held detailed discussions three or four times.”

A Cabinet Sub-Committee led by Education Minister Sakina Itoo examined the reservation policy and submitted its report earlier this year. The panel’s recommendations were approved by the Cabinet in October.

The debate intensified after the Central government last year introduced a separate 10 per cent reservation for ST-2 (Paharis and other tribes) and increased the OBC quota to eight per cent, moves that drew objections from several quarters.

When asked about the stance of NC’s estranged Lok Sabha MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi—who recently urged the government to resolve the issue before the end of the parliamentary winter session and warned he would join quota protests—Abdullah said the government’s actions were not aimed at appeasing any individual.

The reservation policy was one of 22 items on the agenda during Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting.