Cabinet Discusses Amending Law for Increased ST Quota in Ladakh
NEW DELHI: The Cabinet recently convened to discuss amendments to the Jammu & Kashmir Reservation Act concerning Ladakh, proposing to boost the reservation for Scheduled Tribes (STs) to an impressive 85% in government jobs across the Union Territory (UT). This initiative aims to enhance employment opportunities for the ST community, which constitutes about 80% of the local population.
Additional Proposals on the Table
In addition to the ST quota increase, the Cabinet is also considering a 33% reservation for women in Hill Development Councils and job quotas for individuals residing near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in both employment and professional educational institutions.
Moreover, the proposed UT of Ladakh Official Languages Regulation 2025 aims to recognize Bhoti and Urdu as official languages in the Leh region, further promoting linguistic diversity.
Ensuring Fairness and Eligibility
Government sources indicate a commitment to ensuring that job reservations benefit genuine residents, with criteria that include a minimum seven-year domicile in the UT and educational qualifications up to class 10 or 12.
Last December, a high-powered committee meeting led to an agreement on a 95% job quota for Ladakhi residents in government positions, one-third reservation for women in hill councils, and the inclusion of Urdu and Bhoti as official languages.
Calls for a Separate Public Service Commission
Representatives from Ladakh have also pushed for the establishment of a separate public service commission to streamline recruitment processes. The government is contemplating amendments to the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council Act of 1997 and the J&K Reservation Act of 2004 to better serve the local populace.
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