Kashmir leader expresses gratitude to Modi

Former finance minister of Jammu and Kashmir Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Saturday expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his personal intervention that resulted into the continuation of the existing scheme regarding admissions to the NEET, Under Graduate and Post Graduate Courses and not to contribute to scheme of All India quota for the academic year 2020-21.

"This is a very positive development that has restored trust and confidence to a large extent among people particularly in students' community of Jammu and Kashmir. I am personally grateful to Prime Minister and the Home Minister for respecting the aspirations of people of Jammu and Kashmir vis-a-vis their exclusive rights on professional courses offered by different colleges and deemed universities of J&K," Bukhari observed.

He termed the decision taken by Lieutenant Governor G.C. Murmu to continue with the existing scheme as a landmark decision that shall prove a great leap in a positive direction.

Bukhari remarked that going by the reservation policy of Jammu and Kashmir, an equitable opportunities/representation to candidates belonging to all the reserved categories in admissions to undergraduate and postgraduate medical courses has been maintained.

He said that by virtue of its reservation policy, the women candidates and students of backward areas of Jammu and Kashmir are provided with an opportunity to compete in the competitive examinations, including medical examinations, successfully.

"Similarly, I am hopeful that other demands put forth by us through our memorandum submitted to Lieutenant Governor of J&K on January 7, 2020 are accorded a favourable consideration by the Government of India very soon," the former finance minster hoped, adding that such people friendly decisions will have a huge impact on the ground and will create a conducive atmosphere for peace and prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir.

On Friday, Bukhari had urged the Central government to issue a notification providing 100 per cent reservation to Jammu and Kashmir candidates in allotment of Post Graduate seats in different medical/dental colleges of the erstwhile state.

( With inputs from IANS )