APRIL 2: The All India Confederation of SC/ST/OBC Organisations, Jammu & Kashmir Unit, today called on Javed Ahmed Rana, the Minister for Tribal Affairs, and submitted a memorandum of demands addressing various issues faced by the tribal population in Jammu and Kashmir.
The memorandum highlighted a series of critical demands aimed at improving the socio-economic conditions of these communities. A primary concern raised was the restoration of reservation in promotions as per the judgment of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) and the High Court dated 06.03.2025. This ruling had cleared the way for the reintroduction of reservation in promotions, and the delegation sought the immediate implementation of this decision.
Additionally, the delegation called for the strict enforcement of the SC & ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, aimed at safeguarding the rights of scheduled castes and tribes, ensuring that instances of discrimination and violence are promptly addressed. The memorandum also demanded the restoration of the SC Roster Point as per SRO-294 and the reintroduction of a five-year age relaxation for SC/ST candidates, which was crucial for equitable opportunities in employment.
The delegation further urged the government to take immediate steps to fill the backlog vacancies for SC/ST/OBC candidates, ensuring that these communities are adequately represented in government services. They also stressed the importance of maintaining the Reservation Roster Register, to guarantee the correct and consistent implementation of reservation policies.
Addressing the issue of landless underprivileged communities, the memorandum called for the prevention of state land allocation to outsiders, ensuring that the land rights of the tribal population are not compromised. Another key demand was the conduct of a caste-based census, to ensure that resources and reservations are allocated in a fair and proportionate manner based on the actual demographics of these communities.
The delegation also raised the issue of a vacant SC member post in the Jammu & Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC), which has remained unfilled since December 2022. They urged that this post be filled at the earliest to safeguard the interests of the tribal population in the state.
Lastly, the delegation raised concerns regarding the timely disbursement of scholarships for SC/ST/OBC students, as well as the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme for government employees.
Minister Javed Rana gave a patient hearing to the delegation and assured them that the government is fully aware of their genuine concerns. He assured that the issues raised would be taken up for appropriate action, citing the various policies and programs already in place aimed at fostering inclusive growth for marginalized sections of society.
