Srinagar, Sep 29: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has refused to make public the details of Cabinet recommendations concerning reservation, citing confidentiality provisions under the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of the Legislative Assembly.
The issue came up in the House after Handwara MLA Sajad Gani Lone sought information on the Cabinet’s recommendations during the ongoing Assembly session.
In its response, the Government said the recommendations had already been forwarded to the competent authority. However, it maintained that the contents could not be disclosed publicly due to the confidential nature of Cabinet proceedings.
The Minister in charge of Social Welfare referred to Business Rule 38, particularly Clause (xxi), which restricts disclosure of information relating to confidential Cabinet decisions and proceedings.
The Government also relied on the same provision while responding to questions about correspondence between the Union Government and the Jammu and Kashmir Government regarding reservation.
As per Rule 38, questions involving confidential Cabinet decisions, proceedings or advice are not admissible when disclosure is restricted by constitutional, statutory or established obligations.
On EWS reservation, the Government stated that there is presently no proposal to change or ease the existing asset-based eligibility requirements.
The House was also informed that the issue of revising reservation categories, including Open Merit, based on population figures would be considered after the Census 2027 data is published.
The Government said any such decision would be taken in accordance with the applicable legal provisions.
Official data presented in the Assembly showed a substantial difference between Jammu and Kashmir divisions in the issuance of reserved category certificates.
Jammu Division accounted for 3,84,249 certificates, representing 81.7 per cent of the total, while Kashmir Division accounted for 86,198 certificates, or 18.3 per cent.
The data further revealed that 49,953 applications were rejected in Jammu Division, accounting for 81.6 per cent of all rejections, while Kashmir Division recorded 11,316 rejected applications, or 18.4 per cent.
The Government maintained that Cabinet recommendations and proceedings would continue to be treated as confidential under the applicable Assembly rules.
