NC govt under fire as Minister admits to ‘error’ in affidavit filed on quota policy

A day after the opposition parties in Jammu and Kashmir criticised the National Conference (NC)-led government over an affidavit submitted in the High Court regarding the reservation policy, Education Minister Sakina Itoo on Sunday admitted that the affidavit was filed in an “incorrect manner.”

The affidavit, submitted before the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court, had described a petition challenging the Union Territory’s reservation policy as an “abuse of judicial process,” sparking a political backlash.

Speaking to the media, Itoo said, “Those who submitted the affidavit in the court have done it in a wrong way. The NC-led government is sincere in its efforts regarding the issue of reservation.”

She added that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had already constituted a sub-committee to examine the reservation issue in detail. “A report from the committee is expected within six months. Those criticising the government are not being sincere themselves. Some sections are clearly trying to gain political mileage from this issue,” she said.

The minister also informed that the panel held meetings with various delegations on Sunday and collected feedback from stakeholders about the reservation policy.

The controversy stems from petitions filed in the High Court challenging a 2024 decision by the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha-led UT administration. The move had granted a 10 per cent reservation to the Pahari community, raising the total reservation in government jobs in the Union Territory to 60 per cent and leaving just 40 per cent of the posts for the general category.

The NC government, now in power after the Assembly elections, has faced criticism for appearing to support the previous administration’s decision through the affidavit, leading to political friction and public debate.

Meanwhile, the three-member Cabinet Sub-Committee on reservation rules, headed by Education Minister Sakina Itoo, held a detailed interaction with several public delegations and student groups at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar to hear grievances related to the existing reservation policy.

The Sub-Committee includes Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmad Rana, and Minister for Youth Services and Sports, Satish Sharma. Senior bureaucrats also attended the session, including Commissioner Secretary of the Social Welfare Department, Sanjeev Verma; Commissioner Secretary, General Administration Department (GAD), M Raju; Secretary, Law Department, Achal Sethi, and other senior officials from the GAD and Social Welfare Department.

During the interaction, multiple delegations presented their concerns and perspectives regarding the current reservation rules in Jammu and Kashmir. Participants shared their views candidly, seeking amendments and expressing the need for a more inclusive approach in the policy framework.

In response, the Sub-Committee assured the delegations that the government is committed to considering the viewpoints of all sections of society in order to formulate an equitable solution. “The aim is to arrive at an amicable outcome where the interests of every community are safeguarded,” the committee members said during the meeting.

Reiterating its inclusive approach, the Sub-Committee emphasised that it remains open to further discussions with any groups or individuals concerned to ensure a balanced and consensus-driven policy. The panel also confirmed that it would submit its report within the stipulated timeframe of six months to the Council of Ministers, chaired by CM Omar Abdullah.

It is important to note that the Cabinet Sub-Committee was constituted by the Omar Abdullah-led government after assuming office, in response to widespread concerns and grievances expressed by various aspirant groups regarding the prevailing reservation rules.A day after the opposition parties in Jammu and Kashmir criticised the National Conference (NC)-led government over an affidavit submitted in the High Court regarding the reservation policy, Education Minister Sakina Itoo on Sunday admitted that the affidavit was filed in an “incorrect manner.”

The affidavit, submitted before the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court, had described a petition challenging the Union Territory’s reservation policy as an “abuse of judicial process,” sparking a political backlash.

Speaking to the media, Itoo said, “Those who submitted the affidavit in the court have done it in a wrong way. The NC-led government is sincere in its efforts regarding the issue of reservation.”

She added that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had already constituted a sub-committee to examine the reservation issue in detail. “A report from the committee is expected within six months. Those criticising the government are not being sincere themselves. Some sections are clearly trying to gain political mileage from this issue,” she said.

The minister also informed that the panel held meetings with various delegations on Sunday and collected feedback from stakeholders about the reservation policy.

The controversy stems from petitions filed in the High Court challenging a 2024 decision by the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha-led UT administration. The move had granted a 10 per cent reservation to the Pahari community, raising the total reservation in government jobs in the Union Territory to 60 per cent and leaving just 40 per cent of the posts for the general category.

The NC government, now in power after the Assembly elections, has faced criticism for appearing to support the previous administration’s decision through the affidavit, leading to political friction and public debate.

Meanwhile, the three-member Cabinet Sub-Committee on reservation rules, headed by Education Minister Sakina Itoo, held a detailed interaction with several public delegations and student groups at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar to hear grievances related to the existing reservation policy.

The Sub-Committee includes Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmad Rana, and Minister for Youth Services and Sports, Satish Sharma. Senior bureaucrats also attended the session, including Commissioner Secretary of the Social Welfare Department, Sanjeev Verma; Commissioner Secretary, General Administration Department (GAD), M Raju; Secretary, Law Department, Achal Sethi, and other senior officials from the GAD and Social Welfare Department.

During the interaction, multiple delegations presented their concerns and perspectives regarding the current reservation rules in Jammu and Kashmir. Participants shared their views candidly, seeking amendments and expressing the need for a more inclusive approach in the policy framework.

In response, the Sub-Committee assured the delegations that the government is committed to considering the viewpoints of all sections of society in order to formulate an equitable solution. “The aim is to arrive at an amicable outcome where the interests of every community are safeguarded,” the committee members said during the meeting.

Reiterating its inclusive approach, the Sub-Committee emphasised that it remains open to further discussions with any groups or individuals concerned to ensure a balanced and consensus-driven policy. The panel also confirmed that it would submit its report within the stipulated timeframe of six months to the Council of Ministers, chaired by CM Omar Abdullah.

It is important to note that the Cabinet Sub-Committee was constituted by the Omar Abdullah-led government after assuming office, in response to widespread concerns and grievances expressed by various aspirant groups regarding the prevailing reservation rules.

J & K