J&K CM Omar Abdullah advances lake restoration and job reservation reforms

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah chaired the 27th Board meeting of the Jammu & Kashmir Lake Conservation and Management Authority, urging faster implementation of projects to improve the ecological health of Dal, Nigeen, Khushalsar and Gilsar lakes. The meeting reviewed the Integrated Management Plan, sewerage upgrades, lake cleaning and other measures, emphasizing scientific planning, strict environmental safeguards and inter‑departmental coordination.

In a separate cabinet session, the J&K government discussed a reservation policy overhaul for government jobs and college admissions. The cabinet proposed raising the open‑merit quota from the current 30% to at least 40%, addressing youth resentment over existing reservation percentages that total 70%. The proposal includes adjustments to categories such as ST, RBA, EWS and a horizontal reservation for ex‑servicemen and persons with disabilities, pending approval from the Lieutenant Governor and the Ministry of Home Affairs.