Open merit students seek urgent action on reservation policy review

A group representing open merit students in Jammu and Kashmir has written to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, urging immediate action on the reservation policy review and approval from the Law Department.

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The students have requested that the Law Department be directed to expedite its review and return the vetted report within a defined timeframe.

Last month, the Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet decided to refer the reservation report—drafted by a cabinet sub-committee—to the Law Department for legal opinion.

In their letter, the students expressed serious concern over the continued delay in finalising the Reservation Policy Review Report, which had been submitted by the Cabinet Sub-Committee and forwarded to the Law Department for vetting.

“As per media reports, the report was submitted weeks ago, yet there has been no official communication regarding its legal clearance, current status, or the next course of action,” they said.

The students added that this prolonged silence is unacceptable and has generated widespread anxiety among open merit candidates across Jammu and Kashmir.

“Given that the matter concerns constitutional rights and employment opportunities, it is deeply disappointing that the government has allowed this crucial process to stall,” they said.

They further stated that the absence of an official timeline or public update raises serious questions about the administration’s intent and commitment.

“Your government has repeatedly claimed to uphold legal processes and equitable governance. However, allowing a critical report to remain pending indefinitely in the Law Department, without direction or communication, contradicts that commitment. Aspirants deserve clarity, not delays; fairness, not silence,” the letter read.

The students urged the government to direct the Law Department to expedite its review and return the vetted report within a specified timeframe.

They also demanded that the government ensure transparency by issuing a public status update on the report and guarantee that further action is taken with urgency, accountability, and proper consultation with all stakeholders.

Additionally, the students called for a halt to all ongoing and upcoming recruitment processes until the legal vetting of the report is completed and necessary corrections, if any, are implemented.

“This is not merely a bureaucratic formality. The future of lakhs depends on how fairly and timely this process is handled,” the letter stated.

They warned that any further delay would not be viewed as mere negligence but as indifference to the aspirations of open merit students. “We hope you will treat this matter with the seriousness it warrants and take immediate corrective steps,” they wrote.

In 2024, the Union Territory administration under Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha granted a 10% reservation to the Pahari community, increasing the total share of reserved seats across various categories to nearly 70%, leaving only 30% available for open merit candidates in government jobs. The decision triggered widespread criticism.

The National Conference (NC) government announced the formation of a cabinet sub-committee to examine the grievances. The committee completed its report as its six-month deadline ended on June 10.

DEMAND HALT IN RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Open merit students urge CM Omar Abdullah to expedite the reservation policy review stalled at the Law Department, citing delayed legal clearance

Students express serious concern over prolonged silence and lack of official communication regarding the vital Reservation Policy Review Report’s status

They demand the Law Department fast-track its review and return the vetted report within a defined timeframe, ensuring transparency with public updates

Additionally, students call for an immediate halt to all recruitment processes until the reservation report is legally vetted and necessary corrections are implemented