Panel moots all-India quota for J&K students

SRINAGAR: A Centre-appointed panel constituted to formulate a package for jobs in Jammu & Kashmir has recommended reservation for the state's students in schools and higher educational institutions across the country.

PM Manmohan Singh had set up the committee in August last year. Former RBI governor C Rangarajan, who heads the six-member committee, said the Centre needed to persuade public schools and higher educational institutions to reserve seats for J&K students. The report has been submitted to the PM.

Rangarajan called for a need to promote education and a special scholarship scheme to benefit 25,000 J&K students over a period of five years. The panel has also recommended setting up of two Ignou regional placement centres in Srinagar and Jammu.

Rangaranjan said Rs 500 crore need to be allocated for launching special industry initiative in PPP mode for J&K for enhancing skills and employability of 40,000 youth in five years.