PDP’s Waheed Parra Demands Public Release of CSC Reservation Report, Calls It ‘No Secret Document’

Srinagar, Oct 23: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader and MLA from Pulwama, Waheed Ur Rehman Parra, on Wednesday demanded that the Cabinet Sub Committee (CSC) report on reservation be made public, stating that it is not a “secret document” and should be accessible to the people. Speaking to reporters after attending the first sitting of the ongoing Legislative Assembly session, Parra said the issue directly concerns the youth and their future, and transparency in such matters is essential for public trust.

“Reservation is an issue that impacts students and the employment landscape of Jammu and Kashmir. The CSC report is not confidential and should be tabled in the Assembly and made public immediately,” Parra asserted. He warned that if necessary, the PDP would join the students’ protests to press for the disclosure of the report.

The PDP leader emphasized that merit must be preserved while ensuring fair opportunities for reserved categories. “The best of our youth should get the jobs they deserve, and those from reserved categories must receive their rightful share based on their population. Everyone is concerned about reservations, but the current approach seems to be erasing the idea of merit entirely,” he said.

Commenting on his expectations from the Assembly session, Parra said there was a growing “deficit in governance” in Kashmir that needs immediate attention. He urged the House to discuss the unfulfilled promises made by the National Conference (NC)-led government and focus on the pressing developmental concerns of the people. “The slow pace of development, lack of accountability, and inadequate public service delivery must be debated and addressed,” he added.

Parra also revealed that the PDP has moved a bill seeking land security for the people of Jammu and Kashmir and appealed to the National Conference to extend its support for its passage. “We want the NC to support this bill so that land rights are secured for the people. All of us have fought elections on the promise of protecting land ownership. The PDP will support the NC in the Rajya Sabha polls only if it supports and passes this bill,” he clarified.

He further disclosed that the PDP had earlier brought another resolution, now dropped, proposing that the management of religious institutions be handed over to the Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU) to ensure that such institutions remain apolitical. Referring to the recent Dargah Hazratbal incident, Parra said, “We want the Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir to be the custodian and the MMU council to oversee the functioning of religious institutions. These places should remain free from political interference and dedicated to spiritual service.”