Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Dec 24: The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president, Mehbooba Mufti, today criticized the Government for setting a six-month time frame to resolve the reservation issue, accusing the ruling party of evading responsibility and merely waiting for a court decision.
While addressing a press conference at the party headquarters, Mufti said that there was no justification for delaying the matter for six months when the Government had ample representation.
“You have 3 MPs, 50 MLAs, and yet you say, wait for six months,” she said. She added that the Government’s strategy was based on the hope that the court would issue a decision within six months, thereby absolving them of any responsibility. “They think that the court decision will come in six months, so they do not have to do anything. If the court is expected to solve this issue, what is the Government supposed to do,” she added.
Mufti suggested the government introduce an interim resolution favouring open merit candidates until the court delivers its decision. Recalling her tenure, she said, “In 2018, I brought in SRO 49, which ensured 75% of post-graduation reservations went to open merit candidates. If there is no merit in specialization, what will be the outcome?”
She expressed concern over delaying the issue would lead to continued discrimination in ongoing recruitment processes. “For six months, recruitments for lecturers, police, and other departments will conclude, leaving nothing for the open merit candidates. My final request to Omar Abdullah is not to leave this issue to the court alone,” she added.
Mufti urged the Government to find a solution for the disadvantaged while ensuring fair representation for open merit candidates based on population.
The PDP chief also accused the ruling National Conference of failing to raise the issue in Parliament. “Name one Parliament member who has spoken out against the injustice faced by open merit candidates. Has Ruhullah raised this issue? No,” she asked. Mufti expressed hope that the Government, with its significant majority and Parliamentary representation, would resolve the matter. However, she lamented, “It seems they have left this issue to the court.”
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