Avinash Azad
In response to queries raised by MLA Sajad Gani Lone regarding the existing reservation policy, the government provided crucial clarifications on the role of the Cabinet Sub-Committee and the beneficiaries of various reservation categories across the Union Territory.
No Fixed Timeline for Cabinet Sub-Committee Report
When asked whether a six-month time frame had been granted to the Cabinet Sub-Committee to review the reservation policy, the government stated:
“The Cabinet Sub-Committee has been constituted vide Government Order No. 2061-JK(GAD) of 2024 dated 10.12.2024 to examine grievances projected by a section of aspirants for various posts regarding Reservation Rules. However, no specific timeline has been fixed for submitting the report.”
Region-wise Beneficiaries of SC/ST Reservations
Responding to an inquiry regarding the population benefiting from Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) categories, the government provided the following figures for individuals who obtained SC/ST certificates from April 1, 2023, to date:
-Jammu Division: SCs – 67,112; STs – 4,59,493
-Kashmir Division: SCs – 0; STs – 79,813
– Total: SCs – 67,112; STs – 5,39,306
Villages Benefited Under ALC/IB/RBA Categories
Regarding the total number of villages that have benefited under the ALC (Actual Line of Control), IB (International Border), and RBA (Reserved Backward Area) categories, the government shared the following data:
-ALC: 268 villages in Jammu, 16 in Kashmir
– IB: 551 villages in Jammu, 0 in Kashmir
– RBA: 1,379 villages in Jammu, 1,229 in Kashmir
EWS Certificates Issued Region-wise
On the matter of EWS (Economically Weaker Section) certificates issued in J&K, the government provided the following numbers:
-Jammu Division: 27,420
– Kashmir Division: 2,273
Review of EWS Certificate Criteria
When asked whether the government intends to review or revise the existing criteria for issuing EWS certificates, the response was:
“Currently, the Department adheres to the existing criteria for the issuance of these certificates.”
OBC Beneficiaries in J&K Regarding the total number of communities/classes benefitting under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category, the government informed: “As per S.O. 176 of 2024 dated 15/03/2024, there are 41 communities/classes under the OBC list of the Union Territory of J&K.”
