Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 26: Joint Action Committee of Reserved Categories (JACRC) has urged the Government to restore reservation in promotions, citing multiple court orders in their favor.
Addressing a press conference, JACRC leaders criticized both the Central and Jammu and Kashmir Administrations for failing to uphold the constitutional rights of Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC).
JACRC working president, Prof G L Thapa, highlighted that in December 2015, the J&K High Court struck down the provisions for reservation in promotions. Although the SC/ST employees secured a blanket stay on this order from the Supreme Court, the ruling has not been implemented.
He said despite submitting multiple memorandums to successive Governments, including the present LG Administration, no action has been taken. Instead, the BJP-led Administration has allegedly undermined reservation rights by altering recruitment policies and abolishing backlog posts for SC/STs.
Mohinder Bhagat, working general secretary, criticized SC BJP MLAs for failing to advocate for their communities. He called for direct engagement with the LG and Chief Minister to reinstate the original recruitment roster and ensure reservation in promotions. He also accused the administration of deliberately keeping vacant the PSC member slot meant for an SC representative for the past two years.
Other leaders, including Sadiq Azad, reiterated that despite the Supreme Court stay and favorable court rulings, the bureaucracy continues to mislead the Government. The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) and J&K High Court have issued multiple directives in favor of reservation in promotions, but the authorities have yet to act.
JACRC leaders listed their demands, including safeguarding reservations in employment and education, restoring the original recruitment roster, implementing the Mandal Commission recommendations, and appointing an SC member to JKPSC. They warned that failure to act would result in a massive rally in Jammu in the coming weeks.
Among others, the press conference was attended by community leaders Joginder Paul, T C Bavouria, G L Rahi, M L Banalia, Surinder Dewagowda, Kali Dass, MR Bangotra, F C Satia, Balwant Kataria and Pawan Bhagat.
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