Srinagar, June 10: Education Minister Sakina Itoo on Tuesday announced that the Cabinet Sub-Committee tasked with examining the reservation policy in Jammu and Kashmir has finalized its report within the mandated six-month period.
In a statement posted on her official X handle, Itoo said, “The Cabinet Sub-Committee constituted to examine the issue of reservations has drafted its report within the stipulated timeframe of six months. The report will be placed before the Cabinet when it meets.”
The move comes amid heightened controversy following the 2023 amendments to the J&K Reservation Act, which extended Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to several communities, including Paharis, Padaris, Kolis, and Gadda Brahmins. While the government hailed the amendment as a step toward inclusive development, the decision drew sharp criticism from opposition parties, civil society, and aspirants, who decried it as a blow to merit-based selection.
The policy sparked protests and opposition from several quarters, prompting then-Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to set up the Cabinet Sub-Committee to reassess the implications of the move. The panel was given six months to complete its review.
A petition challenging the revised quota system has been filed in the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, arguing that the amendments are unconstitutional.
In response to the growing backlash, the government formed a Cabinet Sub-Committee, chaired by Minister Itoo, to review the reservation policy and consult relevant stakeholders. With the report now ready, its findings and recommendations await formal Cabinet discussion and potential implementation.
