Context:
The Jammu & Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) has constituted a 10-member panel to review the report of a Cabinet subcommittee formed by the J&K government on the Union Territory’s revised reservation policy. The panel aims to ensure that the policy safeguards students’ rights, equity, and regional balance.
Key Highlights / Details
About the Review Initiative
• JKSA panel to review reservation report being finalized by the Omar Abdullah-led Cabinet subcommittee.
• Will engage with government, Opposition, students, and civil society groups.
• Objective: submit actionable recommendations that address concerns of fairness and access to education and jobs.
• JKSA urged the government to publicly release the report to ensure transparency.
Consultations Held
• Panel held meetings in Srinagar with students from medical, agriculture, and nursing institutions.
• Emphasis on a balanced approach to representation and opportunities.
• JKSA stressed dialogue over confrontation, promoting participatory governance.
Current Reservation Policy in J&K
• Policy revised during Lieutenant-Governor’s Rule.
• 60% reservation in jobs and education; 40% for Open Category.
• Reservation breakup:
- Scheduled Tribes (ST): 20%
- Other Backward Classes (OBC): 8%
- Scheduled Castes (SC), Pahari, EWS, RBA categories included in remaining quota.
• Policy changes triggered public protests in certain regions, leading to the formation of a review subcommittee.
Government Action
• Subcommittee report prepared; awaiting approval from L-G Manoj Sinha.
• JKSA demands public consultation before implementation.
Relevant Prelims Points
• Reservation in India governed by Articles 15(4), 15(6), 16(4), 16(6).
• 103rd Constitutional Amendment introduced 10% EWS quota.
• Indra Sawhney Judgment (1992) capped reservations at 50%, except special cases.
• J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019 made Central reservation rules applicable to J&K.
Relevant Mains Points
• Themes: Affirmative action, federal governance, regional equity, social justice.
• Issues: perceived imbalance in reservation, regional disparity (Jammu vs Kashmir), ST inclusion debate.
• Importance of consultation in policy legitimacy.
• Way Forward: evidence-based reservation policy, periodic review, skill-based inclusion, focus on education equality.