Srinagar, Jun 15: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said the Jammu and Kashmir hovernment had prepared its response to the clarifications sought by the Centre on the Cabinet Sub-Committee report on reservation and that the matter would soon be placed before the Cabinet for approval before being sent back to New Delhi.
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, CM Omar said the Cabinet Sub-Committee constituted to examine the reservation issue had completed its task and submitted its report, which was subsequently approved by the Cabinet and forwarded through the Lieutenant Governor to the Central Government.
“The Cabinet Sub-Committee sat, prepared its report and the Cabinet approved it. Like other Cabinet decisions, it was sent to the Lieutenant Governor, who formally referred it to Delhi,” he said.
The CM said the Centre later sought certain clarifications on the report, prompting the file’s return to the J&K administration.
“The concerned department has prepared replies to all the clarifications sought by the Centre. The response has been ready for the last two to three days,” he said.
CM Omar said that since the original recommendations had been approved by the Cabinet, the government’s response to the Centre’s queries would also require Cabinet clearance.
“The Cabinet will meet shortly to approve the response, after which it will be sent back to the Central Government. This is a matter of only a few days,” he said.
The Cabinet Sub-Committee on reservation was constituted by the CM Omar-led government on November 21, 2024, amid growing public protests and political controversy over the existing reservation policy in J&K.
The committee was tasked with examining grievances raised by aspirants regarding the reservation framework and taking a holistic view of the issue while safeguarding the interests of all stakeholders.
The panel was formed after widespread protests by students and job aspirants, including demonstrations led by National Conference (NC) Member of Parliament Aga Ruhullah Mehdi outside the CM’s residence. Protesters had alleged that the existing reservation structure had significantly reduced opportunities for open merit candidates.
The controversy centred around the reservation policy under which nearly 60 percent of seats and positions are reserved for various categories, leaving around 40 percent, including approximately 30 percent in some recruitment and admission segments, available under the open merit category.
Open Merit aspirants argued that the existing framework was adversely affecting their opportunities and sought a review of the policy.
At the same time, beneficiaries of reserved categories maintained that their constitutionally guaranteed rights should not be diluted.
The Cabinet Sub-Committee was also entrusted with examining whether the reservation policy in J&K was in conformity with recent directions and observations of the Supreme Court on reservation and whether any modifications were required to ensure legal and constitutional compliance.
Meanwhile, CM Omar reiterated that the NC’s campaign for restoration of J&K’s statehood would continue unchanged.
“There is no change in our plan. We will raise the issue and go to Delhi to register our message at Jantar Mantar. The promise made to the people in the Supreme Court, Parliament and public forums must be honoured,” he told reporters on the sidelines of an event at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC).
The CM said NC leaders would visit New Delhi during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament to remind the Centre of its commitment regarding restoration of statehood.
Referring to his recent meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said discussions focused on several important issues concerning J&K.
“We discussed statehood, the financial condition of J&K and expediting development projects. I hope people will benefit from these discussions,” CM Omar said.
He expressed hope that the discussions with the PM would help accelerate developmental works and address financial challenges facing J&K.
Responding to a question on Muharram preparations, the CM said the administration had been reviewing arrangements for over a month to ensure smooth observance of the religious occasion.
He said various departments were holding regular meetings and coordinating efforts to ensure adequate civic amenities, traffic management, power supply, water availability and other necessary arrangements during the mourning period.
On the forthcoming Amarnath Yatra, CM Omar welcomed devotees expected to arrive from different parts of the country and expressed hope that the annual yatra would be peaceful and successful.
“We welcome all yatris and hope the yatra concludes safely,” he said.
The annual yatra to the Amarnath cave shrine is scheduled to commence in the coming weeks, with authorities making extensive arrangements for security, transportation, accommodation, and medical facilities for thousands of yatris expected to participate.
