Cabinet approves J&K Reservation Amendment Ordinance, 2019

New Delhi/ Jammu: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday said that Union Cabinet has approved the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2019, a move which will bring persons living in remote and inaccessible areas under reservation ambit.
“Once the Ordinance is issued, it would pave the way for bringing persons residing in the areas adjoining international border within the ambit of reservation at par with persons living in areas adjoining actual Line of Control,” Arun Jaitley said.
This was a long-pending demand of the people living in remote areas as they have historically faced economic distress and socio-economic backwardness.
The Cabinet has also approved amendment to the Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) order 1954 by the way of Constitution (Application to Jammu & Kashmir) amendment order, 2019.
This will provide 10 per cent reservation for economically weaker sections, which includes Scheduled Castes, Schedule Tribes, in educational institutions and government job in addition to the existing reservation in Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu & Kashmir government has clarified that these amendments do not affect who is covered as a Permanent Resident. They do not bring West Pakistan Refugees under the scope of permanent residency. In the case of IB, only permanent residents will be able to get the benefits of this extension of reservation benefits as applicable to LOC residents.