Data reveals sharp regional disparity in certificate issuance across J&K

Srinagar, Oct 28: Data tabled by the Jammu and Kashmir Revenue Department in the Legislative Assembly has revealed a stark regional imbalance in the issuance of social category certificates over the past two years, highlighting concerns of unequal access to welfare entitlements.

According to figures shared in response to a question by MLA Waheed-ur-Rehman Para, a vast majority of certificates under various social categories were issued in the Jammu region compared to Kashmir.

The data shows that 99.2% of Scheduled Caste (SC) certificates were issued in Jammu, while the Kashmir region accounted for just 0.67%. Similarly, 87.2% of Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificates were distributed in Jammu, against 12.7% in Kashmir.

The trend continued across other categories:
OBC (Other Backward Classes): Jammu 56.6%, Kashmir 43.4%
EWS (Economically Weaker Sections): Jammu 88.5%, Kashmir 11.4%
RBA (Residents of Backward Areas): Jammu 32.9%, Kashmir 67.1%
ALC (Actual Line of Control): Jammu 85.2%, Kashmir 14.7%

In total, 7,02,685 SC, 6,02,434 ST, 7,66,664 OBC, and 2,13,486 EWS certificates were issued across the Union Territory during the period under review.

Commenting on the figures, Para said the data “lays bare a grave breach of fairness, equality, and administrative impartiality” in J&K’s welfare system.

“These numbers expose a deep regional disparity in the distribution of social category certificates — a reflection of how unevenly the benefits of affirmative action are being accessed,” he said.
The legislator reiterated his call for the rationalisation of J&K’s reservation policy, arguing that it should be aligned with the population proportion to ensure equitable representation and access to welfare schemes across both regions.

“This is precisely why we have been demanding proportional fairness in policy implementation — so that no region feels discriminated against in the delivery of social justice,” Para said.