People living along the India-Pakistan international border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir will get the benefits of reservation in direct recruitment, promotion and admission in different professional courses, at par with those living along the Actual Line of Control (ALoC).
The decision was taken at a meeting of the Union Cabinetchaired by Prime Minister NarendraModi here on Wednesday.
In keeping with its pro-people initiatives and especiallyfor those at the last mile of development, the Union Cabinet cleared the decksfor approval of the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2019, whichwill be introduced in the forthcoming session of Parliament, according to anofficial statement.
“The Cabinet decision is a reflection of Prime MinisterModi’s vision of a pro-people government committed to SabkaSaath, SabkaVikaasand SabkaVishwas,” the statement said.
The move will go a long way in providing relief to thepeople living in areas adjoining the international border in Jammu and Kashmir.
They can now avail the benefits of reservation in directrecruitment, promotion and admission in different professional courses, thestatement said.
The Bill will replace the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation(Amendment) Ordinance, 2019 through amendments in the Jammu and KashmirReservation Act, 2004 and bringing the persons residing in areas adjoining theIB within the ambit of reservation, at par with those living in areas adjoiningthe ALoC.
The people living in areas adjoining the IB in Jammu andKashmir were not included in the ambit of the Jammu and Kashmir ReservationAct, 2004 and Rules, 2005. The rules provided for reservation in directrecruitment, promotions and admission in different professional courses tovarious categories, including the residents of areas adjoining the ALoC. Thus,those living in areas adjoining the IB in Jammu and Kashmir were not gettingthese benefits for a long time.
Due to continuous cross-border tensions, persons livingalong the IB suffer from socio-economic and educational backwardness. Shellingfrom across the border often compels these residents to move to safer places,which adversely impacts their education as schools and colleges remain closedfor long periods.
Hence, it was felt justifiable to extend the reservationbenefits to persons residing in the areas adjoining the IB, on the lines ofthose living in areas adjoining the ALoC.Since Jammu and Kashmir is currently under thePresident’s Rule, the powers of the state Assembly are vested with Parliamentand hence, it was decided to replace the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation(Amendment) Ordinance, 2019 with the Bill to be placed in both the Houses ofParliament.