Srinagar, Sep 27 (KNS): A Private Member Bill introduced by Peoples Conference President Sajad Lone, seeking to abolish the residential criteria attached to Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) reservation, is listed at Serial No. 16 among Private Member Bills for tomorrow's sitting.

Confirming the development, the party's political secretary to president Tasaduq Hussain said the Bill takes aim at what he termed an arbitrary residential clause that has, for years, shut out economically disadvantaged families in Kashmir from EWS benefits in government jobs and educational admissions.

"This Bill seeks to end a discrimination that has deprived nearly 37 lakh souls in Kashmir of their rightful EWS entitlements," Hussain said, adding that the residency requirement penalizes individuals who meet every economic criterion for EWS status but are excluded on procedural rather than merit-based grounds.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

He added that by seeking removal of this clause, the Bill aims to align EWS implementation with its original constitutional intent while extending affirmative support to the economically weak.

Hussain described the move as a long-overdue correction, one meant to restore parity and ensure that geography does not override genuine economic need.(KNS)