Archive · 28 Oct 2025
J&K Certificate Discrepancy Fuels Quota Row
Imagine Jammu and Kashmir have special categories for people to get help with jobs and school, like categories for poor people or people from certain communities.
Recently, the government shared numbers showing how many people got certificates for these special categories in the Jammu part of the region versus the Kashmir part.
The numbers show a big difference, with way more certificates given out in Jammu for most categories.
One politician thinks this is unfair and might be hurting people in Kashmir.
The ruling party agrees there's a gap but says it's the fault of the people who work in government offices, not the politicians.
They promise to look into it, but some people want the way the special categories work to be fairer and more equal for everyone.
Government data reveals significant disparities in the issuance of reservation certificates between Jammu and Kashmir regions.
Jammu issued over 69,000 SC certificates compared to only 474 in Kashmir; 87% of ST certificates were issued in Jammu.
While Jammu also saw higher issuance for EWS and ALC categories, Kashmir had more RBA certificates.
These figures may intensify demands for a more proportional reservation policy in Jammu and Kashmir.
A PDP MLA criticized the data as evidence of "deliberate structural disempowerment" of Kashmir, while the ruling National Conference blamed bureaucrats.
- Who
- Government of Jammu and Kashmir, PDP MLA Waheed Para, National Conference
- What
- Discrepancies in the issuance of reservation-related certificates between Jammu and Kashmir regions, potentially fueling demands for a more proportional reservation policy.
- When
- Tuesday (reply submitted in Assembly); new reservation policy brought in last year.
- Where
- Jammu and Kashmir, India
- Why
- To highlight perceived imbalances in the distribution of reservation benefits, leading to calls for policy rationalization and proportional representation.
PDP MLA Waheed Para
National Conference
Discrepancy in Certificate Issuance
PDP MLA Waheed Para
The government's reply reveals a deliberate structural disempowerment of Kashmir valley people, aimed at administrative disempowerment after political and geographical disempowerment. This is politically motivated and kills merit.
National Conference
The figures indicate a significant gap, but the issue lies with bureaucrats who are not directly answerable to the elected government and report to the LG. The NC is confident the LG administration will address the issue.
- SC Certificates Issued (Last 2 Years)
- Jammu: >69,000; Kashmir: 474
- ST Certificates Issued (Last 2 Years)
- Jammu: 5.25 lakh (87%); Kashmir: 76,656
- OBC Certificates Issued (Last 2 Years)
- Jammu: 43,438 (56%); Kashmir: 33,226 (43%)
- EWS Certificates Issued (Last 2 Years)
- Jammu: 88.58% of 21,386 total
- ALC Certificates Issued (Last 2 Years)
- Jammu: 85% of 2,796 total
- RBA Certificates Issued (Last 2 Years)
- Kashmir: 31,804; Jammu: 15,595
- New Reservation Policy
- Up to 70% seats in government jobs and professional institutions; includes Pahari community ST status.