The HRD Ministry announced on Thursday that Kashmiri Pandits are also going to receive the benefits and concessions that are provided for students in higher education institutions situated in the valley. The ministry had previously listened to the representatives who asked it to grant the privileges to non-migrant Kashmiri Pandits. The privilege granted to the Kashmiri Pandits include, “relaxation in cut-off percentage sup to 10 per cent which will be subject to minimum eligibility requirement, an increase in the intake capacity up to five per cent in each course and reservation of at least one seat in merit quota in technical and professional institutions.”
An official from the HRD ministry said in a statement, “The matter has been considered and following discussion with the Home Ministry and the Jammu and Kashmir government it has been decided that the concessions available to wards of Kashmiri migrants will also be available to non-migrant Kashmiri Pandits or Kashmiri Hindu families, for admission into higher educational institutions in other parts of the country from 2020-21 academic session.”
There are, however, some documents that are necessary if Kashmiri Pandits want to enjoy the concessions.
The official noted, “While there is no requirement of domicile certificate of Kashmiri migrants, the Kashmiri Pandits or Kashmiri Hindu families living in the Valley will need domicile certificate to avail concession.”
The decision will not only help the Kashmiri Pandits in acquiring education in the valley, it is also a step further in inclusivity of groups who haven’t been able to enjoy the same concessions before.