Reservation issue rocks J&K Assembly: Ruling, Oppn MLAs protest

Srinagar: The issue of reservations in promotions for government employees rocked the Jammu and Kashmir assembly again on Thursday even as government maintained that the issue cannot be discussed in the House as it was pending adjudication before the Supreme Court. [caption id=“attachment_2804198” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representational image of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly. Getty Images[/caption] Cutting across party lines, several MLAs from opposition Congress, National Conference and ruling PDP-BJP stormed the Well of the House to register their protest against the alleged government inaction in restoring the reservation in promotions for government employees. Congress leader Nawang Rigzin Jora conducted mock assembly proceedings in the well of the house after Speaker Kavinder Gupta refused to halt the Question Hour proceedings to discuss the issue of reservations. The protesting members had enacted similar scenes on Tuesday as well. Law Minister Abdul Haq Khan intervened in the matter and reiterated that the house can deliberate on the matter only after the apex court has delivered its verdict on it. “The honourable members are aware that the matter is pending adjudication before the Supreme Court. Let the Supreme Court give its verdict and then we can take it forward,” he said. Not satisfied with the government statement, the agitating members staged a walkout from the house.