The record
Written from the 1 report below. Nothing here is unsourced.
- J&K Peoples Conference chief Sajad Lone and PDP MLA Muntazir Mehdi said Kashmir division candidates got only 18% representation in the latest list of J&K Administrative Service and Accounts (Gazetted) Service officers.
- Lone called the figure 'recruitment apartheid', pointing out that Kashmir has 56% of the region's population.
- Lone claimed that even if the elected government's file sent to the Union government is approved, Kashmir's share would rise only to 19%.
- Mehdi said the Valley has around 60% of J&K's population and the 18% share demands scrutiny of the recruitment framework.
- Both leaders said they would raise the issue in the J&K Assembly, and the appointments had been distributed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to 55 new officers in Srinagar.
What to watch next
- Whether the Assembly discussion on Kashmir's share in recruitment is taken up and what resolution, if any, is passed.
- Whether the elected government's file on the reservation system is approved by the Union government and by how much it changes the figures.
- Whether other parties in J&K join the criticism or defend the current recruitment framework.
Who said what2
Only words found exactly in the article are shown, attributed and linked to the line they came from.
Sajad Lone
1 quote · 1 outlet
“Against a population ratio of 56%, the inhabitants of Kashmir have got 18% of the jobs. Incidentally appointment orders were given by Chief Minister sahib. Ideally, he should have kept away. This is recruitment apartheid. And persecution of the inhabitants of the Kashmir valley”
In the article
…through appropriate legislative devices. Referring to the list of officers selected under the J&K Accounts (Gazetted) and J&K Administrative Service (JKAS), Mr. Lone, who is also a legislator from Handwara, said: “ Against a population ratio of 56%, the inhabitants of Kashmir have got 18% of the jobs. Incidentally appointment orders were given by Chief Minister sahib. Ideally, he should have kept away. This is recruitment apartheid. And persecution of the inhabitants of the Kashmir valley ”. Mr. Lone said it seems “a strategy to disempower and marginalise the inhabitants of Kashmir valley”. “I wish and hope that we together, across party lines, are able to highlight the severity of this issue. And call a…
Muntazir Mehdi
1 quote · 1 outlet
“This demands scrutiny of representation, fairness and the current recruitment framework. I will raise it in the Assembly. Kashmir’s youth deserve equal opportunity, not token representation”
In the article
…to disempower and relegate to the margins, the inhabitants of Kashmir valley,” he added. Meanwhile, PDP leader Mehdi said despite the Valley comprising around 60% of J&K’s population, 18% representation is worrisome. “ This demands scrutiny of representation, fairness and the current recruitment framework. I will raise it in the Assembly. Kashmir’s youth deserve equal opportunity, not token representation ,” Mr. Mehdi said. Published - September 17, 2026 05:15 am IST…
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Coverage1
All filed from India
Named India · Jammu & Kashmir Accounts (Gazetted) Service · Jammu & Kashmir Administrative Service · J&K Peoples Conference · Muntazir Mehdi · Omar Abdullah · People’s Democratic Party · Sajad Lone
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