Apni Party supports SC/ST reservations, calls for ‘one member, one family’ policy in government jobs
Diplomat Correspondent
Srinagar, (DD) Apni Party President Altaf Bukhari on Tuesday called for a re-evaluation of the current reservation system, emphasizing that economic criteria should play a central role in determining eligibility for government jobs. He also stressed the need to implement a “one member, one family” policy to ensure fairness and equal opportunity in public sector employment.
Speaking to reporters, Bukhari clarified that his party is not opposed to reservations for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), acknowledging the historical injustices faced by these communities. However, he argued that the benefits of reservation should not become an inherited privilege for a select few families while others remain excluded.
“We fully support SC and ST reservations. But there must be a mechanism to ensure that government jobs don’t become an ancestral legacy,” Bukhari said. “The focus should shift to helping those who are truly in economic distress, irrespective of their caste.”
He added that under the current system, some families have multiple members in government jobs while others struggle to get a single opportunity. “This creates inequality and resentment among the youth. Economic deprivation must be recognized across all communities,” he noted.
The Apni Party has consistently advocated for inclusive development and equitable access to opportunities. Bukhari reiterated the party’s commitment to a transparent, merit-based, and economically sensitive approach to public employment.
His comments come amid growing calls in various parts of the country for a more nuanced and need-based reservation policy, especially in the wake of rising unemployment and economic disparities.(DD)
