Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 2: A deputation of All India Confederation of SC ST OBC Organizations today met Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary of J&K and presented him a memorandum of demands concerning the issues of SC/ST/OBCs in J&K.
The deputation comprising BL Bhardwaj (general secretary), HR Phonsa and Sarwar Chauhan, Roshan Choudhary, Mohd Hamid Choudhary and Balwinder Kumar, and
led by State president of the Confederation R K Kalsotra, presented a memorandum of demands to the Chief Secretary.
The demands highlighted in the memorandum were restoration of Reservation in Promotions retrospectively from 2015, clearance of backlog of 1.04 lakh for SC/ST/OBCs, full implementation of Mandal Commission Report suggesting 27% Reservation for OBCs, timely disbursement of Scholarships for SC/ST/OBC students, tackling the rising cases of caste-based atrocities in J&K via full implementation of SC/ST Atrocities Act, stoppage of dilution of ST status, age relaxation to SC/ST candidates of 5 years and OBC candidates of 3 years as per the central norms, reservation in Excise Policy, employment drives for recruitment of educated unemployed youth, etc.
Kalsotra mentioned that Reservation in Promotions is guaranteed by the Constitution of India and was implemented in J&K only after 1970s for SCs and after 1990s for STs and other minorities. He said this was finalized in a shape of legislation – the Reservation Act, 2004 and after the abrogation of Article 370, the national laws were to be implemented in J&K as well but till now Reservation in promotions is not restored since 2015.
The Chief Secretary assured the deputation that whatever is being implemented at the Central level will be implemented in J&K as well. “Moreover, Reservation in Promotions will be restored soon,” he added.
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