Govt issues 2,486 EWS certificates in Kashmir, 24,058 in Jammu: Javed Rana

SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 30 (PTK): The Jammu and Kashmir Government has issued 2,486 Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) certificates in Kashmir Division and 24,058 in Jammu Division during the last two years, Minister for Jal Shakti Javed Ahmed Rana informed the Legislative Assembly.

Rana, who was responding on behalf of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also holds the Revenue portfolio, was replying to a Calling Attention Notice tabled by MLA Sajad Gani Lone regarding alleged disparity in the issuance of EWS certificates between the two divisions.

The Minister stated that EWS certificates are issued by the concerned Tehsildars in accordance with the eligibility criteria prescribed by the Social Welfare Department.

The figures provided in the House showed that a total of 26,544 EWS certificates were issued across Jammu and Kashmir during the two-year period, with Jammu Division accounting for 24,058 certificates and Kashmir Division for 2,486.

During the discussion, MLA Sajad Lone raised a supplementary and urged the Government to evolve a uniform and rational definition of the economically weaker section to ensure consistency in the implementation of the EWS provisions across the Union Territory.

The matter was discussed in the Assembly in the context of the existing eligibility criteria and the process followed by the Revenue authorities for issuance of EWS certificates.(PTK)