4,70,447 category certificates issued across J&K: Govt

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Sept 29: The Government has issued 4,70,447 category certificates across Jammu and Kashmir between January 1, 2025 and August 1, 2026, while 61,269 applications were rejected, the Legislative Assembly was informed today.

The figures, provided by the Social Welfare Department in response to a starred question by MLA Sajad Gani Lone, show that Jammu Division accounted for 3,84,249 certificates, compared to 86,198 issued in Kashmir Division.

Jammu also recorded a significantly higher number of rejected applications, at 49,953, against 11,316 in Kashmir Division.

On the implementation of Cabinet recommendations concerning reservation, the Government said the recommendations had been received and submitted to the competent authority.

It, however, declined to disclose the present status of the recommendations or details of any queries raised by the Union Government, citing the confidential nature of Cabinet decisions and proceedings under Rule 38 of the Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.

The Government said no cases of fraud or misrepresentation in obtaining category certificates were reported during the period under review.

It also ruled out any immediate relaxation in the eligibility criteria for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), including the existing asset-based conditions, stating that "there is no proposal under consideration" for such a change.

On whether a Priority Household (PHH) ration card could be used as a criterion for issuing category certificates, the Government said possession of a PHH card alone could not substitute the prescribed income and asset criteria for determining EWS eligibility.

Under the J&K Reservation Rules read with SRO 518 of 2019, EWS eligibility includes a gross annual family income below Rs 8 lakh, subject to prescribed asset limits and other conditions.

On proportionate representation for different categories, including Open Merit, based on population data, the Government said the matter would be examined in accordance with applicable legal provisions once data from Census 2027 becomes available.