Srinagar, Nov 2: National Conference Member of Parliament Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi has accused the government’s sub-committee on the rationalization of reservations of ignoring real stakeholders and functioning in secrecy. He claimed that neither senior leaders nor affected groups were consulted before the committee reportedly finalized its findings.
The rationalization of reservations refers to the review of existing reservation categories in Jammu and Kashmir, following the region’s administrative and constitutional changes. The process aims to examine the distribution and percentage of reserved seats for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, and other eligible groups to ensure equitable representation.
Ruhullah alleged that the exercise lacked transparency. “The sub-committee never spoke to the real stakeholders. I have no idea what the report contains or who was approached during its preparation,” he said. “Even senior leader Mian Altaf, who is a direct stakeholder, was not taken on board. I spoke to him personally, and he said he was never consulted,” he added.
The parliamentarian said that the committee failed to submit its report within the mandated six-month timeframe. “After six months, there was still no report. But when I began asking questions, it was suddenly said the report was ready. Nobody knows what is in it or who was consulted,” Ruhullah remarked.
He also took exception to being labeled as anti-party for raising questions. “When I speak, they say I am going against the party. That is bizarre. Seeking accountability within the organization should not be treated as dissent,” he asserted.
Ruhullah further claimed that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was initially not in favor of giving the mandate to Aga Mahmood for the Budgam bye-election, believing him to be a weak candidate. “I was among the first to support his candidature,” Ruhullah said. [KNT]
