Srinagar, March 22 -- On March15, the Jammu & Kashmir administration approved 10% reservation for newly-included tribes, including Paharis, in the Schedule Tribe (ST).The Council also approved the addition of 15 new castes in OBCs and enhancement of reservation in favour of OBCs to 8%.

The bill will provide reservation in government jobs, promotions, educational institutions etc.

The bill was earlier cleared by Lok Sabha on 06 March. The Bill aims at empowering (i) Pahari Ethnic Group (ii) Padari Tribes (iii) Koli and (iv) Gadda Brahmin by providing Scheduled Tribe status. This has been a long pending demand of these communities.

Earlier, J&K had 8% reservation for SC, 10% for STs, 4% for OBCs, 4% for residents along Line of Actual Con...