Srinagar, Sept 25: The Government on Friday said appropriate measures are being taken to address concerns over reservation quotas and the interests of Open Merit candidates in recruitment and admissions in the Union Territory.

The government response came in Assembly to a query by Shopian MLA Shabir Ahmad Kullay regarding the implementation of the 50 per cent reservation ceiling and safeguarding the interests of Open Merit candidates.
In response to whether the issue of reservation of Open Merit candidates had been repeatedly raised in earlier sessions of the Legislative Assembly, the government replied in the affirmative.
On whether the government had examined a proposal to ensure 50 per cent representation for Open Merit candidates in accordance with applicable constitutional and judicial provisions, the government said a Cabinet Sub-Committee had been constituted to rationalise reservation quotas across categories and address grievances raised by various stakeholders.
The government said the committee was constituted vide Government Order No. 2061-JK(GAD) of 2024 dated December 10, 2024. It examined the existing reservation structure and submitted its report and recommendations to the Council of Ministers.
According to the government, the Council of Ministers approved the recommendations and forwarded the matter to the competent authority for consideration.
On whether the government proposed to take measures to ensure a fair and equitable balance between reserved and Open Merit categories in recruitment and admissions, the government said, “Appropriate measures are being taken.”
The government reiterated that the Cabinet Sub-Committee had examined the reservation structure in detail and that its recommendations had subsequently been submitted to the competent authority.
However, the government’s response does not specify a separate timeline or disclose the detailed recommendations of the Cabinet Sub-Committee.