Union Cabinet approves EWS quota for J&K

New Delhi: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved a bill to provide up to 10% reservation to Jammu and Kashmir’s economically weaker sections (EWS) in jobs and educational institutions.

J&K is currently under President’s rule and hence the Union Cabinet had to approve the quota in state government jobs and admissions. The bill is expected to be tabled in Parliament soon as the proposed legislation cannot be brought before the state assembly, which stands dissolved.

The bill was approved in the Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Second Amendment) Bill, 2019, will pave the way for all residents of the state with income below Rs 8 lakh per annum to benefit from the `per reservation.


This will be in addition to such reservation available in central government jobs. The 10% reservation for EWS was introduced in the country through the 103rd Constitution amendment in January this year. Several state governments have implemented the reservation since then.

Earlier this month, Parliament passed the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2019, to replace the ordinance in effect since March this year.