Srinagar, Oct 19: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader Zaffer Mir (Lasjan) on Saturday said the general category in Jammu & Kashmir faces numerous difficulties due to the current reservation policy.
In a statement issued here, Mir said the policy, aimed at uplifting marginalised communities, has created significant challenges for the general category, particularly in areas like government jobs and educational opportunities.
Mir pointed out that with over 66% of positions reserved for various categories, including Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC), the general category is left with only 34% of opportunities.
“While the goal of reservation is to ensure equity, the imbalance it has created for the general category is undeniable. This policy has disproportionately affected educated youth and job seekers from the general category, leading to frustration and a sense of injustice. In sectors where merit should be the primary criterion, deserving candidates are often left behind,” he said.
Citing the alarming unemployment rate of 23.1% in J&K, Zaffer stressed that the present dispensation must address this growing issue. “The general category, which forms a significant portion of the educated workforce, is finding itself marginalized in both employment and education due to the shrinking pool of opportunities available to them,” he said.
The PDP leader urged the government to review the reservation policy and ensure that merit does not fall victim to the current lopsided structure.
“The reservation policy, though essential for uplifting weaker sections, should not result in the systematic sidelining of deserving candidates from the general category. The government must strike a balance that guarantees fairness for all,” he added.
