To provide shelter or a brolly to the economically weaker sections among the general category under the rubric of fundamental rights, the Central Government, it may be recalled, announced 10percent reservation to these sections which was passed by the Parliament recently by going in for an amendment in the constitution to this effect. This being a landmark decision of the Modi Government to reach out to the deserving eligible economically backward sections of the general category got widespread support from all though even a few opposition parties tagged the decision with the ensuing general elections and opposed the move less in the open and more in hush hush manner. State of Jammu and Kashmir, being currently under the President’s rule, the State Administrative Council headed by the Governor accordingly approved the reservation and sent the proposal for confirmation and approval to the Central Government. Providing reservations in promotions to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes categories too was approved by the State Administrative Council headed by Governor Satya Pal Malik and forwarded to the Central Government for confirmation and approval.
In this connection, it is heartening to note that the Union Cabinet in its meeting chaired by the Prime Minister approved both the proposals sent by the State Government. Now that the State has come at par with other States in this respect, it is to be seen that its implementation should be smooth and identification and data collecting in respect of the eligible ones expedited. We may remind the readers that the State Administrative Council had already cleared the proposal of bringing people living along the International Border under three percent reservation category of ‘ALC’ quota which earlier was applicable only to the people living along the Line of Control. Both these decisions are having significance of whatever small measure for the State looking to the trying and difficult days it has been passing through for the last three decades.
It is worth noting that under special status granted to the State of Jammu and Kashmir and it being the only State in the country having its own constitution, the laws passed by the Parliament do not directly extend to the State and since both the amendments in the constitution of India are not applicable to the State in the present form, a formal proposal duly approved by the SAC had to be forwarded to the Union Government. Now, with the due approval having been granted by the Central Government, decks stand cleared for providing 10% reservation in admission in educational institutions and for employment etc in favour of the economically weaker sections of the people. The State is thus vested with the powers for making provisions for reservation in matters of promotion to any class or classes of posts in the services under the State in favour of the SCs and STs. The decision of the Union Cabinet is really welcome as not only will the poorer segments from the ‘General Category’ feel that after decades justice has been done but a feeling of joining other States in the matter would lend credibility to the courageous but much required step taken by the present Government at the centre.
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