New Delhi: Being aware of the unabated mushrooming of terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir, the Union Cabinet on Thursday has announced 10 percent reservation for economically weaker sections (EWS) and benefit of promotion for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes communities in J&K.
The move adopted by the Centre seems to be a “Googly” keeping both the present situation along the western frontier as well as the forthcoming general election in mind.
Experts, however feel that such package was really necessary to keep the youths in Jammu & Kashmir away from joining terrorism.
“There is maximum unemployment in Jammu & Kashmir, a factor which is being used by the anti-India forces especially the terrorist organizations to lure our youths,” said Sanjay Rai, an expert on current affairs.
He said that the announcement made on Thursday would definitely help the government to counter terrorism.
Thursday’s Cabinet note said that 10 percent reservation for economically weaker sections has been made applicable in J&K. “This would pave the way for reserving State Government jobs to the youth of J&K who are from economically weaker sections belonging to any religion or caste,” the note said.
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday evening has approved the proposal of Jammu &Kashmir Government to issue 'The Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2019' by the President of India. It provides for amendments in the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act, 2004 to bringing persons residing in the areas adjoining International Border within the ambit of reservation at par with persons living in areas adjoining Actual Line of Control (ALoC).
“Announcement of such decisions especially ahead of the coming general election would certainly help the government,” said Rai.
Ironically a latest survey report published by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) in collaboration with the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) found that Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has the maximum unemployment rate of 12.13 per cent.
However, the Economic Survey Report of J&K also indicates the unemployment rate in the state up to 24.6 per cent.
Significantly, keeping all speculations over amendments of Article 370 and 35A aside, the Union Cabinet has also decided not to change anything in this regard.
