J&K Reservation Bill moved

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 24

People living along the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir will get the benefits of reservation in direct recruitment, promotion and admission in professional courses on a par with those living along the Actual Line of Control (ALoC) as per a Bill introduced in the Lok Sabha today.

The Bill, the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2019, was introduced in the Lok Sabha by Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy on behalf of Home Minister Amit Shah who was present in the House. Though some members from the Opposition wanted to oppose the introduction of the legislation, Speaker Om Birla rejected their demand, saying they had not followed the procedure for doing so.

The legislation aims to replace the ordinance to give reservation benefits for education, jobs and promotion to the Scheduled Castes and Tribes and to the economically weaker sections in the state. It seeks to provide relief to people living in areas adjoining the IB living within 10 km of the IB in Jammu on a par with people living along the Line of Control in Kashmir.

Once passed by Parliament, it will amend the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act, 2004, to bring persons residing in areas adjoining the IB within the ambit of reservation on a par with those living in areas adjoining the ALoC. The rules provide for reservation in direct recruitment, promotions and admission in different professional courses to various categories, including residents of areas adjoining the ALoC.

This has been a long-pending demand of people along the IB, who often come under cross-border fire. Those living in areas adjoining the IB were not included in the ambit of the J&K Reservation Act, 2004 and Rules, 2005, and were deprived of benefits.

Due to the border tension, persons living along the IB suffer from socio-economic and educational backwardness. Shelling from across the border often compels residents to move to safer places, which impacts education as schools and colleges remain closed for long periods.

Highlights of the amendment 

• To give benefits of reservation in direct recruitment, promotion and admission in professional courses on a par to people living along the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir with those living along the Actual Line of Control

• The legislation aims to replace the ordinance to give reservation benefits for education, jobs and promotion to the Scheduled Castes and Tribes and to the economically weaker sections in the state.

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