Srinagar, Dec 04: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday called on the government to reinstate SRO 49 (2018) of the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act, highlighting its importance in safeguarding the future of the Union Territory’s youth.
In a post on X, she said the youth of J&K, who constitute 65% of the population, have endured years of violence and unrest. However, they now face a new challenge in securing justice and merit-based opportunities in the admission process for higher education.
The issue gained urgency following the recent NEET PG results crisis, which has left many aspirants uncertain about their future. “The government must act swiftly to address the concerns of the youth and ensure that super-speciality medical courses remain accessible to all deserving candidates,” she said.
As a reference, Mufti shared a copy of the 2018 notification of SRO 49 on her X Handle, explaining how its provisions ensure equitable opportunities in education. Under SRO 49, seat allocation for postgraduate medical and technical courses is based on merit, while also protecting the interests of reserved categories. The system ensures fairness by balancing open merit seats with reserved categories like Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other disadvantaged groups.
The PDP chief reiterated the urgent need for the UT administration to uphold justice and meritocracy in the education system. She urged the authorities to consider the aspirations of the younger generation, who are striving for a better future despite decades of challenges. (KNS)
