Govt Cites Confidentiality Rules to Withhold Details of Cabinet Recommendations on Reservation

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NEWS AGENCY KASHMIR NEWS TRUST #KNT

Srinagar, Sep 29: KNT: The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Tuesday declined to disclose details of Cabinet recommendations concerning reservation, citing confidentiality provisions under the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Legislative Assembly.

The response was given by the Minister in-charge of Social Welfare in reply to a question raised by Handwara MLA Sajad Gani Lone during the ongoing Assembly session.

The Government informed the House that the Cabinet recommendations had already been submitted to the competent authority, but maintained that their details could not be placed in the public domain.

The Minister referred to Business Rule 38, particularly Clause (xxi), stating that the information sought related to matters of a secret nature concerning Cabinet decisions and proceedings and, therefore, could not be disclosed.

The same provision was cited in response to questions concerning communications exchanged between the Union Government and the Jammu and Kashmir Government on the reservation issue.

Under Rule 38, questions seeking information concerning confidential Cabinet decisions, proceedings or advice are not admissible where disclosure is restricted by constitutional, statutory or established obligations.

On the issue of Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) reservation, the Government clarified that there is currently no proposal to remove or relax the prescribed asset-based eligibility criteria.

The Minister also responded to a query on whether reservation categories, including Open Merit (OM), would be adjusted proportionately according to population figures after publication of the 2027 Census.

The Government said the matter would be examined in accordance with the applicable legal provisions once the Census-2027 data becomes available.

Official figures placed before the House showed a significant division-wise difference in the issuance of reserved category certificates.

A total of 3,84,249 certificates, or 81.7 per cent, were issued in Jammu Division, while 86,198 certificates, or 18.3 per cent, were issued in Kashmir Division.

The data further showed that 49,953 applications, or 81.6 per cent, were rejected in Jammu Division, compared to 11,316 applications, or 18.4 per cent, in Kashmir Division.

The Government maintained that Cabinet-related recommendations and proceedings would remain confidential in accordance with the Assembly’s procedural rules. [KNT]