SRINAGAR, SEPT 16: Peoples Conference president and MLA Sajad Gani Lone has questioned the regional representation in the latest appointments to the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) and J&K Accounts (Gazetted) Service, ahead of the upcoming Legislative Assembly session.
Lone said that out of 55 officers selected for the two services, only 10 were from the Kashmir Valley. Citing these figures, he questioned the level of representation of candidates from the Valley in the latest recruitment.
The Peoples Conference chief also questioned the Chief Minister's participation in the distribution of appointment orders, saying the Chief Minister should ideally have stayed away from the process.
Lone criticised the existing reservation framework and alleged that it has resulted in reduced representation of candidates from the Kashmir region in government recruitment. His remarks reflect concerns he has raised previously regarding the impact of the reservation system on regional representation.
He further argued that the reservation-related recommendations recently sent by the elected government to the Union Government would not substantially change the regional recruitment figures.
Lone said he intends to raise the issue during the forthcoming Assembly session through appropriate legislative procedures. He also called for the matter to be discussed across party lines.
The reservation policy has remained a subject of debate in the J&K Assembly, with Lone having previously sought discussion on the government's approach to rationalising the existing reservation framework.
