Narendra Modi Cabinet Paves Way For 10% EWS Reservation in Jammu And Kashmir

New Delhi, July 31: Months after passing the 10 percent reservation to the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) in educational institutes and government jobs, the Centre on Wednesday paved the way for EWS in Jammu And Kashmir in the respective fields. The Central Cabinet approved the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (2nd Amendment) Bill, 2019, which ensures EWS quota along with existing reservations.

Earlier in January, Narendra Modi government came out with a constitutional amendment bill, providing 10 percent reservation to EWS, which was upheld by the Supreme Court. According to the government, the quota will be applicable over and above the existing 50 per cent reservation to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes. EWS Reservation: Supreme Court Refuses to Stay Centre's Decision to Grant 10% Quota

Stating this as an exception to equality, the Supreme Court has made an observation that the EWS quota is intended to achieve ‘equality of opportunity’. It is to be known that the latest development arrived amid speculations over the abrogation of Article 35A which gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir. Also, the deployment of additional 10,000 troops on the Valley earlier this week by Centre is a sign of caution for various political outfits.

With the sudden deployment of security forces in the Valley, former CMs Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah have questioned Centre on the requirement of this move. While BJP accused both the National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party of creating panic among people by spreading rumours.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 31, 2019 05:05 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).