SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet convened in Srinagar on Tuesday, with a primary agenda item being the government’s prepared response to the Centre’s inquiries concerning the reservation report.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at the Civil Secretariat, also encompassed the review of various developmental proposals and administrative matters. The Social Welfare Department had finalized a comprehensive exercise to address questions posed by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) regarding the reservation report compiled by the Cabinet Sub-Committee (CSC).
The response, which underwent extensive scrutiny of the data and recommendations within the report, was presented to the Cabinet for approval. Following Cabinet clearance, the finalized response is to be forwarded to the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, before its submission to the Ministry of Home Affairs for further deliberation.
Earlier, the Centre had sought clarifications on the methodology and data utilized by the CSC in recommending modifications to reservation percentages, with specific attention to the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) and Resident of Backward Areas (RBA) categories. Officials confirmed that the Social Welfare Department conducted a thorough review over several weeks to prepare a detailed reply addressing all concerns raised by the MHA. The finalized response had already been routed through the General Administration Department and awaited Cabinet sanction.
Sources indicated that while numerous departments submitted agenda items related to development projects, administrative decisions, and promotion matters, the reservation issue was accorded top priority due to its inherent significance and public interest. The reservation report, previously approved by the Cabinet, had proposed an increase in the share of Open Merit seats and posts through the revision of certain reservation quotas. These recommendations were subsequently advanced for further examination and statutory processing.
Deliberations on Tuesday were deemed crucial as the administration aimed to progress on the reservation matter after addressing all observations from the Central Government. The Cabinet was also expected to examine several development-oriented proposals designed to enhance infrastructure and public services across Jammu and Kashmir. This Cabinet session marked the first such meeting in approximately one-and-a-half months and was closely observed for potential decisions pertaining to both reservation policy and developmental initiatives.
The Chenab Times News Desk