Srinagar, June 10: Education Minister Sakina Itoo on Tuesday said that the Cabinet Sub-Committee formed to examine the issue of reservations in Jammu & Kashmir has completed its task and finalized the report within the stipulated timeframe of six months.
Education Minister Sakina Masood Itoo, in a post on X, confirmed the development, stating, “The Cabinet Sub-Committee constituted to examine the issue of reservations has drafted its report within the stipulated timeframe of six months. The report will be placed before the Cabinet when it meets.”
The reservation controversy in Jammu and Kashmir escalated after the 2023 amendments to the Reservation Act, which granted Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to communities like Paharis, Padaris, Kolis, and Gadda Brahmins. While the move was hailed as historic by the government, it triggered intense criticism and protests from students, aspirants, and opposition parties, including Omar Led Government’s own MP Aga Ruhullah protesting outside CM’ residence in Srinagar with thousands of students joining the protest, who accused the government of “killing merit” and sidelining genuinely deserving candidates.
The issue intensified following the NEET-PG 2024 and JKCCE 2023 results, where a significant decline in open merit selections was observed sparking protests across colleges and public platforms. Aspirants argued that the Open Merit quota had been drastically reduced, breaching the 50% ceiling set by the Supreme Court.
A petition was also filed in the J&K High Court, challenging the new reservation structure as unconstitutional.
In response, the government constituted a Cabinet Sub-Committee chaired by Education Minister Sakina Itoo. The committee held consultations with stakeholders and was mandated to examine all concerns regarding the revised quota system. The report has now been finalized and is awaiting cabinet review.
