Srinagar- Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said that the Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet has accepted the report of a cabinet sub-committee on reservation, which will now be sent to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for approval.

On December 10 last year, the government had constituted the cabinet sub-committee to look into grievances raised by various sections of aspirants against the existing reservation policy in the Union Territory.

Addressing a press conference marking the completion of one year of his government, Omar said,“In the cabinet meeting held yesterday, the sub-committee presented its final report, which the cabinet approved. The social welfare department has been asked to prepare a cabinet memo. I will circulate it among my (cabinet) colleagues for approval before submitting it to the Lieutenant Governor.”

He expressed hope that the process would be completed in the next two to four days.

Reservations have become a major issue in J&K following the Central government's decision to add more communities to the reserved category and expand quotas in the UT over the past five years.

There have been growing objections to the Centre's move to push the reservation quota to 70 per cent in J&K, following last year's announcements introducing a separate 10 per cent reservation for Paharis and other tribes and enhancing the OBC quota to eight per cent.

Replying to another question about his relationship with officers, he said the cooperation of officers is essential for fulfilling any government's agenda.

“As far as officers are concerned, looking at what we have accomplished, would it have been possible if we were not working with those officers? The cooperation of officials is essential for fulfilling any government's agenda,” he said.

Omar further said that just as the five fingers of a hand are not equal, not everyone in any government is the same.“This is not just about Jammu and Kashmir; in any state of the country, you won't find all officers equally active. Most officers are good and hardworking, but here and there you will find one or two who do not want to work. The same situation exists here.”

Speaking about development in Jammu, the chief minister said the government is focusing on boosting tourism in Jammu with regards to pilgrims of Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, developing the artificial lake area, and promoting border tourism.

“Our effort is to create facilities so that pilgrims who visit for darshan can also stay as tourists. If even 15–20 per cent of the devotees visit additional destinations, it will give a major boost to Jammu's economy,” he said.

Omar also announced his decision to restore the Darbar Move, stating that it would help strengthen Jammu's economy.

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