Srinagar, April 5 -- The Social Welfare Department, in an affidavit submitted before the court, described a writ petition challenging the policy as "mischievous" and "frivolous," accusing the petitioners of attempting to "abuse the judicial process." The government has urged the court to dismiss the plea titled Zahoor Ahmad Bhat and Others vs UT of J&K and Others.

The affidavit has sparked political uproar, especially since the government had recently formed a Cabinet sub-committee, headed by Social Welfare Minister Sakina Itoo, to review the reservation policy. The policy currently allocates 70 percent of available quotas to various groups - a move that has drawn sharp criticism from sections of civil society and political leaders.

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