Srinagar: In the list of 71 candidates called for the Combined Competitive Examination (JKAS), 42 belong to reserved categories, and only 29 are from the open merit category.
With dice so heavily loaded against the people who do not come from reserved categories and who comprise around 70 percent of the population, the demand for scrapping this “unjust” reservation policy is growing louder.
PDP leader Waheed Para on Wednesday called for the scrapping of the reservation policy in Jammu and Kashmir, saying it can compromise the long-term quality and competence of institutions.
In a post on X, Para said the J&K PSC 2023 results had only 40 percent of candidates selected on “open merit”, despite more than 70 percent of the state population being in the unreserved category.
He was commenting on the candidates called for the Jammu and Kashmir Combined Competitive Examination 2023.
According to a list, out of 71 candidates called for the medical exam, 42 belong to reserved categories.
“The government must scrap this unjust policy against merit and ensure reservations reflect true population proportions,” Para, an MLA from Pulwama, said.
“J&K’s youth deserves inclusion, not exclusion. This isn’t limited to jobs but compromising long term (sic) quality and competence in all institutions,” the president of the PDP’s youth wing added.
SMC’s former Mayor Junaid Azim Mattu echoed the sentiment, stating, “Every interview or advertisement notice based on this inhumane, unjust, and undignified reservation policy is a fresh wound for the unemployed meritorious youth of J&K. The reservation policy must be scrapped without delay, with at least 70 percent reserved for open merit.”
Senior journalist Ahmad Ali Fayyaz posted on X, “The Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission has announced the final results of the Combined Competitive Examination 2023 (J&K Administrative Service). Of the 71 selected candidates, only 29 (40%) are from the Open Merit category, which comprises over 70% of the population. Sixty percent of the selected candidates are from reserved categories, including some candidates from so-called ‘backward’ villages that, in reality, are among the most advanced. This discrepancy is due to the fraudulent practices of bureaucrats and politicians over the past decades. It’s high time for the National Conference government to implement its manifesto agenda, review the reservation policies, and ensure justice for Open Merit candidates.”
According to the selection notification, in April 2023, the General Administration Department referred 75 posts for the J&K Combined Competitive Examination-2023 to the J&K Public Service Commission. The posts were advertised by JKPSC on April 13, 2024, and 30,756 candidates were provisionally allowed to appear for the Preliminary Examination. (With inputs from KINS)
