The Government today informed the House that Scheduled Tribe (ST)-I reservation stands implemented uniformly across Jammu and Kashmir.

This was stated by Minister for Social Welfare, Sakeena Itoo, while replying to a question of Legislator, Dr. Narinder Singh Raina in the Legislative Assembly today.

The Social Welfare Minister informed that the reservation to ST-II category is not region based or area specific but is given on the basis of Pahari ethnicity to various groups as reflected in SO 176 of 2024. She added that the extension of ST-II reservation benefits to the Pahari ethnic group is based on their ethnic, cultural and linguistic identity and not region specific and is therefore consistent with the constitutional principles of equality, fairness and non-discrimination.

She also informed that no separate assessment has been undertaken, as the inclusion is based on ethnic identity and not on regional differentiation.

Legislators Ajaz Ahmed Jan and Dr. Rameshwar Singh raised the supplementary questions.