Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Mar 15: Peoples Conference Chairman and MLA Handwara, Sajad Gani Lone today demanded a complete “overhaul” of J&K’s reservation system as he criticized the lack of clarity on when the Cabinet Subcommittee (CSC) will present its findings.
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Addressing a press conference, Lone said that when the CSC on reservation was formed in December, it was initially stated that the issue of reservation would be examined and a report would be submitted within six months.
“There is still no clarity on when the findings will be released,” he said.
On the reservation policy, he called it heavily biased against the Kashmiri-speaking population, noting that the extent of Kashmir’s “losses” in terms of quotas is far greater than previously believed.
Highlighting regional disparities in the issuance of category certificates, he pointed out that reservations overwhelmingly favor Jammu.
Lone argued that the reservation system is “structurally skewed” against Kashmiris, particularly Kashmiri speakers.
“Even within the ST category, those in Kashmir have been placed at a disadvantage, receiving far fewer benefits than their Jammu counterparts,” he said.
While the RBA figures appear closer, he noted that adjusting for population differences still leaves Kashmir at a loss.
Given that Kashmir’s population is about seven percent higher than Jammu’s, Lone asserted that reservations should have been distributed more proportionately.
Calling for urgent reforms, he stressed the need to “overhaul” the reservation policy to ensure fairness and equitable representation.
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