Education Minister Sakina Itoo on Tuesday announced that the Cabinet Sub-Committee formed to examine the issue of reservations in Jammu & Kashmir has completed its task and finalized the report within the stipulated time frame of six months.
In a post on X, Itoo said, “The Cabinet Sub-Committee constituted to examine the issue of reservations has drafted its report within the stipulated time frame of six months”.
She said the report will be placed before the Cabinet when it meets.
The reservation controversy in Jammu and Kashmir escalated after the 2023 amendments to the Reservation Act, which granted Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to communities like Paharis, Padaris, Kolis, and Gadda Brahmins.
While the move was hailed as historic by the government, it triggered intense criticism and protests from students, aspirants, and political parties.
The students and aspirants staged a protest outside CM’s residence at Gupkar, Srinagar against the present reservation policy and demanding its scrapping. The NC MP Aga Ruhullah also joined the student protest.
With the Centre granting reservation to Pahari-speaking people in the UT, the open merit category has been reduced to just 30 per cent while 70 per cent are reserved for various communities.
The issue intensified following the NEET-PG 2024 and JKCCE 2023 results, where a significant decline in open merit selections was observed, sparking protests across colleges and public platforms.
Aspirants argued that the Open Merit quota had been drastically reduced, breaching the 50% ceiling set by the Supreme Court.
A petition was also filed in the J&K High Court, challenging the new reservation structure as unconstitutional.
The cabinet sub-committee was formed in December last year by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah after protests by students against the existing reservation policy in J&K providing for only 30 per cent seats for open merit candidates.
The committee held consultations with stakeholders and was mandated to examine all concerns regarding the revised quota system.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Students Association has urged Jammu Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Education Minister Sakina Itoo to immediately make public the Cabinet Sub-Committee’s report on the rationalization of reservations.
The National Spokesperson of the Association, Farhat Riyaz urged the CM to convene an emergency Cabinet meeting to discuss the report’s recommendations, ensuring timely implementation.
“The ongoing delay is unacceptable and jeopardizes the future of thousands of students, exacerbating their anxiety and uncertainty,” she said.
“We demand that the Education Minister provide a clear timeline for the report’s release. People of J&K deserve clarity, not vague assurances. Prolonged delays will only fuel growing resentment among youth. The future of students cannot be compromised by endless delays and empty promises,” she added.