Bill on J&K reservation in Lok Sabha

NEW DELHI: A bill to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act, 2004 was introduced in Lok Sabha on Monday, paving the way for people living near the International Border to get benefits of reservation in direct recruitment, promotion and admission in professional courses on par with those living along the Actual Line of Control (ALoC).
The Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2019, will replace an ordinance issued by the previous government.
Minister of State for Home G. Kishan Reddy introduced the bill on behalf of Home Minister Amit Shah who was also present in the house.
Some members from the opposition wanted to oppose introduction of the bill but Speaker Om Birla rejected their demand, saying they had not followed the procedure for doing so.
The bill seeks to provide relief to people living in areas adjoining the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir.
The bill will bring same benefits to the people living near the IB as those near the Line of Control (LoC), after they were kept out of the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act 2004 and Rules 2005.
"Due to continuous cross border tensions, persons living along the International Border suffer from socio-economic and educational backwardness," said the government in a statement on the reasons for introduction of the bill.
"This situation often compels departure of these residents to other safer places thereby having an adverse impact on their economic condition and educational status."
Amit Shah, in a written statement, said that the President issued a proclamation on December 19, 2018 under Article 356 of the Constitution declaring that the powers of the legislature of the state of Jammu and Kashmir shall be exercisable by or under the authority of Parliament.
He said the legislation will meet the long-pending demand of the people living near the border.