Early Times Report
Jammu, June 9: As the six-month deadline for the Cabinet Sub-Committee to review the reservation policy in Jammu and Kashmir expires on Tuesday, students from the Open Merit category have expressed frustration over the government’s silence on the panel’s findings and recommendations.
With no official update from the government so far, Open Merit aspirants have taken to social media to voice their anger. “One day left. Still no report. This betrayal of open merit will not be forgotten,” read a widely circulated post.
Adding to the outrage, the government on Monday issued a recruitment notification for 75 Naib Tehsildar posts—just a day before the committee’s report was expected. Of these, 45 posts are reserved for various categories, while only 30 are open to all. Students argue that realistically, just 10 to 15 posts may be available for unreserved general category aspirants, despite them comprising over 70% of the population.
The controversy dates back to November 2024, when Open Merit students staged widespread protests in Srinagar, demanding a revision of what they called a skewed reservation policy. They claimed that over 60% of seats and jobs were reserved, leaving less than 40% open for general category candidates, in disproportion to their demographic strength.
Amid growing unres Students from the Open Merit category have expressed frustration over the government’s silence on the panel’s findings and recommendations.
The government on Monday issued a recruitment notification for 75 Naib Tehsildar posts—just a day before the committee’s report was expected.
Of these, 45 posts are reserved for various categories, while only 30 are open to all.
Students argue that realistically, just 10 to 15 posts may be available for unreserved general category aspirants, despite them comprising over 70% of the population.
Though the committee was announced on November 22, the formal government order constituting it was issued on December 10, 2024. Students argue that by the original date of formation, the six-month deadline technically lapsed on May 22. “But if the government considers December 10 as the official date, then the deadline ends on June 10,” said an agitated student.
The official order, issued by Sanjeev Verma, Commissioner/Secretary, General Administration Department, tasked the committee with examining the existing reservation rules and addressing grievances of aspirants through consultations with all stakeholders. The committee is being supported by the Social Welfare Department and was expected to submit its findings to the Council of Ministers within six months.
As the deadline draws to a close, the absence of any official statement or report has only intensified the concerns of Open Merit aspirants, who now feel sidelined in the ongoing debate over equitable access to opportunities in Jammu and Kashmir. |
