Post-bifurcation J&K: Unchanged ST quota after Ladakh’s separation sparks debate

Voices grow louder for revising ST population data, reducing quota to help general category

Jammu: With Jammu and Kashmir government setting up a Cabinet sub-committee to review the reservation policy in government jobs, a renewed debate has emerged over the actual Scheduled Tribe (ST) population and the justification for continuing the 20 percent ST quota in J&K post-bifurcation of erstwhile state into two Union Territories—Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
Ladakh, with a predominantly ST population (approximately 97 percent), was carved out of Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, becoming a separate Union Territory. Despite this separation, the ST reservation percentage in Jammu and Kashmir remains unchanged, raising concerns among the general category residents who feel disproportionately affected.
Critics argue that since Ladakh’s ST-dominated population was excluded from Jammu and Kashmir, the ST reservation in the latter should have been reduced accordingly.
“Ladakh, with a population of approximately three lakh, was separated in 2019. However, the government retained the 10 percent ST reservation in J&K, which is unfair to the general category. The recent addition of a 10 percent reservation for the Pahari-speaking community has further compounded the miseries of the general category, bringing the total ST reservation to 20 percent,” they contended.
“Government must revise the reservation policy to pre-August 5 levels and remove Ladakh’s population ratio from the ST quota to benefit the general category,” demanded Imran Rather, a netizen.
Another netizen questioned the allocation process, noting, “Previously, the ST reservation was distributed in a 6:4 ratio—six percent for Gujjars, Bakerwals, and others, and four percent for Ladakhis. Now that Ladakh is separated, where has the four percent gone? The STs continue to enjoy a 10 percent quota, but logically, the benefit should have shifted to the Open Category, where all communities compete.”
According to the 2011 census, around 69 per cent of J&K’s population belongs to the general category. Currently, the total reserved seats in government jobs are 60 percent while only 40 percent seats are left for general category candidates.
The 2011 Census recorded the total ST population of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, including Ladakh, as 14, 93,291, which constituted 11.9 percent of the total population. After the bifurcation, Ladakh’s ST population of 2,18,193 was separated, leaving 12.75 lakh ST population in J&K—now 10.16 percent of the total population—while the reservation percentage remained unchanged.
Rakesh Kumar, a general candidate aspirant for Sub-Inspector post in the J&K police, voiced his frustration, urging the government to revise the reservation framework. “We have been disproportionately affected by the unchanged ST quota. “The Cabinet sub-committee’s findings are now being eagerly awaited,” he said.
When contacted, Javaid Rahi, a noted tribal researcher contested these arguments, saying “the ST population in J&K is still above 10 percent of the total population, and they are getting reservation benefits as per established norms. There is no justification of demands for reducing the ST reservation, even after Ladakh’s separation from J&K. Currently, J&K’s Scheduled Caste (SC) population stands at seven percent, yet they enjoy an eight percent reservation. The government must clarify the criteria for extending reservation benefits to communities living along the International Border, whose population figures remain ambiguous”.
On November 22, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced the formation of a Cabinet sub-committee, comprising three ministers, to take a “holistic view” of reservations in government jobs to ensure justice for all while safeguarding individual rights.
The current reservation policy has come under sharp criticism after the National Conference government referred 575 posts of lecturers in the School Education department for recruitment to the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC). Out of these, only 238 have been kept for the general category, while the remaining 337 seats have been reserved for different categories.
Similarly, Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB), on November 22, issued a notification for filling up a total of 669 posts of Sub-Inspectors in J&K Police, comprising just 267 posts in Open Merit while remaining 402 posts reserved for different categories.

Updated On 11/25/2024 4:40:24 AM