Srinagar, Feb 4 : A wide disparity has emerged in the issuance of Economically Weaker Section (EWS) certificates between the two divisions of Jammu and Kashmir, with Jammu accounting for an overwhelming majority of the certificates issued in the past two years, according to government data tabled in the Assembly.
In a written reply to a question by Chadoora MLA Ali Mohammad Dar, the government said out of a total 26,558 EWS certificates issued across the Union territory, 24,545 were granted in the Jammu division, while only 2,013 were issued in the Kashmir division.
The reply detailed the eligibility conditions under the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act, 2004, and related rules, stating that EWS status is applicable to individuals not covered under Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe or Socially and Educationally Backward Class reservations, provided their family’s annual gross income does not exceed Rs 8 lakh.
The government said eligibility also depends on asset ownership, with families owning five acres or more of agricultural land, residential flats of 1,000 square feet or above, or plots exceeding prescribed limits in municipal and non-municipal areas excluded from the category.
It clarified that income from all sources, including salary, agriculture, business and profession, is taken into account for the financial year preceding the application.
Explaining reasons for rejection of applications, the administration said each case is scrutinised strictly as per the guidelines laid down under SRO 518 of 2019, and certificates are denied only when applicants fail to meet the prescribed income or asset criteria.
On cases involving joint ownership of residential property with married siblings or legal co-owners, the government said such applications are examined in accordance with existing rules and applicable thresholds.
The reply also included a district-wise breakup of certificates issued during the period under review and reaffirmed the overall figures for the Union territory(KNS).
