In the recently conducted examination for Kashmiri Migrants/Pandits under PM’s special package it is to be seen that thousands of candidates have applied under various categories like ST, SC, Social Caste, RBA, PSP and EWS. Among these reserved categories a large number of candidates have applied for RBA but the number of posts reserved for RBA is very limited. Due to the less number of posts under the RBA category, a large number of candidates who have applied for RBA category won’t get selected and are in lurch. However, it has been widely observed that the vacant posts under SC, ST, Social Caste and PSP will get de-reserved into general category (Open Merit) vide DMRRR’s 2019 order pertaining to the de-reservation policy under PM’s package for Kashmiri Migrants which is contradictory in nature. This is a draconian reservation policy where vacant reservation posts be allocated to Open Merit/General category candidates. De-reserving vacant SC/ST/OSC posts into General Category will be discrimination towards RBA category candidates. It is well established fact that reserved vacant/unfilled posts should only be allocated to reserved category candidates. It should not be given to the general category candidates as reserved category posts are only meant for SC/ST/OBC/Social Caste/PHP candidates.
Further, non-migrants Kashmiri Pandits have applied for RBA category though the numbers of candidates are very large but the posts for the RBA are less in number thereby creating hurdles for the RBA candidates to get selected for the advertised posts under PM package. If the vacant and unfilled posts under SC/ST/Social Caste/PHP get de-reserved into RBA category then only maximum RBA candidates may get chance to get selected for these posts of PM package. The government must either re-advertise these unfilled/vacant posts of ST/SC/Social Caste for only ST/SC/Social Caste category or de-reserved these posts to RBA category that will go a long way in making PM package a grand success.
Zubair Ahmad Shah
(Srinagar)
