J&K Reservation issue: RTI reveals no official record of CM’s meeting with OM students, no follow-up or assurances given

SRINAGAR: In a startling revelation, a Right to Information (RTI) response has uncovered that the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister’s meeting with Open Merit (OM) or unreserved category students on December 23, 2024, was entirely informal and unofficial, with no official records, minutes of meetings, or follow-up actions documented. The RTI, filed by Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) National Convenor Nasir Khuehami, sought clarity on discussions around recruitment processes and educational policies.

However, the vague response from the Chief Minister’s Secretariat has raised serious concerns about transparency, accountability, seriousness, and the government’s sincerity in addressing student grievances.Khuehami had specifically inquired whether the Chief Minister had given any assurances about suspending recruitment processes in Jammu and Kashmir until the subcommittee’s final report on the reservation policy was released.

The response from the Chief Minister’s Secretariat said that the meeting was not an official engagement, and therefore, no records were maintained. It further clarified that the Chief Minister had not committed to halting or slowing down the recruitment process until the report’s release. The absence of official documentation has left students and stakeholders questioning whether their concerns were ever taken seriously.Expressing his disappointment, Khuehami remarked that the RTI response left him "shocked but not surprised."

He criticized the lack of official documentation, arguing that it cast doubt on the seriousness of the engagement and the credibility of any commitments made by the Chief Minister. According to the official reply, no minutes were recorded, no government officials were present, and no documentation—such as records, emails, letters, or any official communication—was available regarding the meeting.

The RTI request specifically pertained to the meeting held on December 23, 2024, when unreserved category students had staged a protest outside the Chief Minister’s residence in Srinagar, demanding clarity on recruitment policies. The response confirmed that the meeting was an informal interaction with no official standing, no agenda items, and no follow-up actions.

It also reaffirmed that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had made no commitment to pausing or slowing down the recruitment process until the subcommittee submitted its final report.Khuehami emphasized that students had expected the meeting to lead to concrete assurances regarding job recruitment and reservation policies. Instead, the RTI response has confirmed their fears that the concerns of unreserved category students are being brushed aside.

He further questioned the purpose of the meeting, arguing that if such an important discussion had no official standing, it raised doubts about why it was held in the first place.Jammu and Kashmir Students Association National Spokesperson Farhat Riyaz has called for a more structured and transparent dialogue with the government, insisting that their grievances must be formally acknowledged and addressed.

She emphasized that the lack of official recognition for their demands has left students feeling sidelined, reinforcing the urgent need for accountability, structured engagement, and concrete policy decisions. The JKSA has vowed to continue advocating for transparency in governance and meaningful dialogue on recruitment policies, reservation frameworks, and employment opportunities for all sections of society.

She added, “We are willing to discuss the issue with the government, but transparency is a must. JKSA is open to engaging in discussions and deliberations with the state government, but we urge them to take this matter more seriously and be more transparent in their decision-making. We are ready to support and work with them on student-centric issues, but we deserve more clarity.”