DOGRA HERALD BUREAU
JAMMU, Mar 2
Bali Bhagat, senior BJP leader and former Minister, met with LG Manoj Sinha at Raj Bhawan, Jammu and discussed various issues concerning of employees from reserved categories in Jammu and Kashmir. The discussion primarily revolved around the restoration of benefits of reservation in promotion to the employees of reserved categories in the Union Territory.
In a memorandum addressed to the Lieutenant Governor, Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Bali Bhagat said that the Union Government led by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi have extended and launched a number of centrally Sponsored Schemes for the welfare and benefit of the weaker sections of the society besides have passed large number of legislations for the upliftment and betterment of the weaker sections of society.
“I personally welcome the decision of the Government of India for introducing the Bill in the Parliament which provides for nomination /reservation of two seats in the Legislative Assembly of U.T of Jammu and Kashmir to the displaced persons of POJk and to the Kashmiri Migrants one of them a woman to be nominated by the Lieutenant Governor of J&K. We the people of J&K are highly grateful to the Hon, ble Prime Minister sahab and welcome the decision of the Government of India to provide Scheduled Tribes status to the Pahari Community in the U.T of Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.
He also outlined several pressing issues faced by employees belonging to reserved categories in the region. These included the discontinuation of reservation benefits post the abrogation of Article 370, despite assurances of extension provided by the Government of India.
He said “That after the abrogation of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution had created a huge hype by giving advertisement that benefits of reservation which were not available to people belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes have been extended to them. But the fact of the matter is that the people belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the U.T of Jammu and Kashmir were enjoying these benefits up to October, 2015. Thereafter the benefit of reservation in educational institutions and public employment to the persons belonging to reserved categories remained intact, however the benefits of reservation in promotion to the employees belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes have been discontinued/ denied by the Government of Jammu and The denial of the benefits of reservation in promotion to the employees belonging to the scheduled castes and Scheduled Tribes have created unrest and resentment among the people in general and particularly in employees and have shattered the faith of the people on the system.”
Bali Bhagat highlighted the disparity between the promises made and the actions taken, particularly noting the denial of reservation benefits in promotion to employees from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes communities, which has led to widespread unrest and disillusionment among the populace.
Drawing attention to constitutional amendments and court directives, Bali Bhagat stressed the urgency of implementing these provisions to ensure equitable treatment for all citizens of Jammu and Kashmir. He emphasized the need for immediate intervention by the LG’s office to address this issue and restore faith in the administration.
Furthermore, Bali Bhagat underlined the significant electoral representation of scheduled castes communities in Jammu province, signaling the importance of addressing their concerns promptly.
He mentioned that out of total 45 lakh voters in Jammu province, 10 lakhs alone belongs to Scheduled Castes community alone. During the last Assembly elections held in the State of Jammu and Kashmir all seven seats reserved for scheduled castes community have been won by the candidates belonging to Bhartiya Janta Party.
The former minister urged the Lieutenant Governor to issue explicit directives to concerned authorities for the implementation of Supreme Court orders and the Presidential Order dated 01.03.2019. He called for alignment with the provisions of the Constitution 77th Amendment Act and the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act, 2004, to ensure the restoration of reservation benefits in promotion for employees belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Resident of backward area communities in Jammu and Kashmir.
