Discrepancies in EWS Certification Spark Political Row in Jammu and Kashmir
The definition of poverty in Jammu and Kashmir has become a lightning rod for political controversy, as leaders in the Kashmir Valley allege that the current Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) certification process is being used to systematically exclude local applicants from job opportunities. With a significant portion of the Union Territory’s population belonging to the general category, the implementation of the 10% EWS quota has sparked accusations of regional bias in favor of the Jammu division.
A Conflict of Metrics
The core of the dispute lies in the widening gap between official poverty indicators and the criteria used to grant EWS status. Sajad Lone, President of the Peoples Conference, recently brought these concerns to the legislative floor, highlighting a staggering imbalance. According to his data, while the Kashmir Valley holds a Below Poverty Line (BPL) population of approximately 55%, it has secured only 8% of the EWS certificates issued over the last two years. Conversely, the Jammu region, with a 45% BPL population, has received 92% of the total 26,000 certificates issued.
This statistical anomaly is further underscored by ration card data. The Department of Food Supplies and Consumer Affairs reports over 37.7 lakh Priority Household (PHH) and Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) ration cardholders in Kashmir, compared to 29.8 lakh in Jammu. Lone criticized the government’s “dual definition” of poverty, questioning how the state can acknowledge the financial distress of families for food subsidy purposes while simultaneously dismissing that same poverty when they apply for employment.
Structural Barriers to Eligibility
Critics argue that the current asset-based criteria for EWS certificates are fundamentally mismatched with the socio-economic realities of the Kashmir Valley. Specifically, the mandate that disqualifies individuals possessing a residential property larger than 3.68 marlas has been labeled unrealistic. In a region where even the most impoverished families often own small ancestral plots, this threshold effectively renders the vast majority of genuinely poor Kashmiris ineligible.
Adding to the frustration, there have been widespread reports of influential families manipulating asset disclosures to obtain these certificates, leaving the most vulnerable without access to the 10% job reservation pool.
Impact on Job Prospects
The real-world consequences of these policy hurdles are stark. Of the 7,580 government job vacancies filled over the past two years, the allocation of EWS-reserved posts has been heavily skewed. Only 61 jobs went to candidates from the Kashmir Valley, while 697 were granted to applicants in Jammu. Projections regarding the remaining 49,672 vacancies suggest that unless the policy is overhauled, the disparity will only deepen, with an estimated 92% of EWS-quota positions destined for the Jammu region.
The Path Forward
Sakina Itoo, Minister for Education and Social Welfare, has acknowledged the discrepancies, noting that the J&K administration is bound by the eligibility criteria established by the central government. While a cabinet sub-committee has already proposed revisions to the reservation policy—aiming to bolster representation for the general category—the lack of approval from the BJP-ruled Centre has left the administration in a state of limbo.
For the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the current reservation landscape—which already allocates over 60% of jobs across various categories—remains a source of deep anxiety. As the region navigates the post-Article 370 era, the debate over EWS implementation serves as a reminder of the delicate balance required to ensure equitable development across both provinces.
Disclaimer: This content is auto-generated for informational purposes only.
Source: Read Original News
