Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 13: A deputation of the All India Backward Classes Union (AIBCU), led by former Minister Babu Ram Paul, met with the Chairperson of the Cabinet Sub-Committee, Sakina Itoo and Cabinet Minister Javed Ahmed Rana to press for long-pending demands related to OBC, SC, and ST communities in Jammu and Kashmir.
The key demand raised was the implementation of the Supreme Court’s 1992 judgment on the Mandal Commission, with the delegation highlighting that even after the abrogation of Article 370, the constitutionally mandated 27% reservation for OBCs has not been granted in J&K. Currently, the total reservation provided to OBCs, SCs, and STs is just 26% — 8% for OBCs, 8% for SCs, and 10% for STs — while 74% is effectively benefitting the general categories, the delegation alleged.
The AIBCU leaders also raised concerns about the non-implementation of reservation in promotions despite multiple favourable court rulings and a presidential order. Additionally, they called for the removal of upper-caste groups added to the OBC list by the GD Sharma Commission, terming their inclusion unjustified.
Speakers including AIBCU Chairman Mohd Latif Qureshi, Mohd Manir Mughal, KK Fotra, Bangotra, senior advocate and veteran NC leader Rajinder Kumar Chanyal, among others, emphasized the need for applying central reservation norms in full and countering false narratives about OBC population figures.
The Cabinet Sub-Committee members assured the delegation that their concerns were heard and that genuine demands would be addressed.
Former MLAs Sager Chand (Kathua) and Prof Chaman Lal Bhagat (Doda) were also present, along with representatives from all districts of Jammu division including Krishan Verma (Udhampur), Tilak Raj Basotra, Sham Lal Bhogia, BDO CL Gandhi and Gurmeet Singh.
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