Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday reserved 4 percent seats in professional medical and engineering institutions in the region.
This was decided in a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary, B V R Subrahmanyam to review status with regard to reservation of seats for students belonging to the Union Territory of Ladakh in professional institutions, for the academic year 2020-21.
The meeting was informed that the reservation in professional institutions is governed in terms of Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act and Rules which have been amended post reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir. The Act and Rules do not apply to UT of Ladakh.
The meeting discussed the non-availability of professional institutions in the Union Territory of Ladakh after recommendations of the Advisory Committee constituted by the Government of India in this regard.
An official statement said that 24 seats from engineering colleges and 35 seats from medical colleges will be deducted from total number of available seats and the reservation for the residents of J&K will be calculated on remaining seats as per the provisions of JK Reservation Act and Rules. The General Administration Department was asked to inform the Ladakh Administration accordingly.
Regarding the seats reserved for Ladakh students, Chief Secretary directed the Jammu and Kashmir Board of Professional Entrance Examinations (BOPEE) to take up the matter with Ladakh Administration in terms of admission policy and reservation policy to be adopted for selecting their candidates.
Administrative Secretaries of the Social Welfare Department and Law, Justice & Parliamentary Affairs Department, among others participated in the meeting.

Reader correspondent