Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh information and public relations minister Nyato Dukam on Sunday withdrew his earlier remarks on the contentious 80:20 job reservation policy, saying they were made in good faith and out of concern for safeguarding constitutional provisions benefiting the state’s students and youth.Dukam, who chairs the state govt-appointed committee examining the demand for abolition of the 80:20 reservation ratio, said he had no intention of hurting anyone. “The statement was given in good faith. The provisions we have may get lost and that may affect the future of our students and youth. If my statement has hurt anyone, I withdraw it,” he told reporters.He said the issue required detailed deliberations, and the committee would examine all aspects before submitting its recommendations within the stipulated timeframe. A team would also visit Nagaland to study its reservation framework.The clarification came a day after All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union criticised Dukam’s remarks as “immature and irresponsible” and sought an apology.The row erupted after Dukam cautioned that the 80:20 policy could face legal hurdles if challenged in court amid demands to abolish the 20% quota for non-APST candidates. AAPSU maintained that reservation in state recruitment falls within the state’s constitutional powers under Articles 15(4) and 16(4), and reiterated that abolition of the ratio remains its “topmost and non-negotiable priority”.
