JK Peoples Conference chief and MLA Sajjad Gani Lone has strongly criticised the disparities in the issuance of reservation certificates across Jammu and Kashmir, calling the imbalance "shocking."
According to Lone, data from April 1, 2023, reveals that the Jammu region has overwhelmingly dominated the issuance of reservation certificates across nearly all categories, raising concerns about fairness in the system.
In response to a query raised by Lone, official figures show that Scheduled Caste certificates were issued exclusively in Jammu, with 67,112 certificates distributed, while none were issued in Kashmir.
The disparity continues in the Scheduled Tribe category, where Jammu issued 459,493 certificates, accounting for 85.3 per cent of the total, whereas Kashmir issued only 79,813, making up just 14.7 per cent. Similarly, in the Economically Weaker Sections category, Jammu accounted for 92.3 per cent of certificates, while Kashmir received only 7.7 per cent.
Further discrepancies were noted in the Actual Line of Control category, where 94.3 per cent of certificates were issued in Jammu compared to just 5.7 per cent in Kashmir. The International Border category saw 100 per cent of certificates issued in Jammu, leaving Kashmir completely excluded.
Even in the Reserved Backward Area category, Jammu maintained a lead with 52.8 per cent of certificates issued, while Kashmir received 48.2 per cent.
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Lone expressed concern that the entire reservation system in Jammu and Kashmir is systematically rigged against the Kashmiri-speaking population. He pointed out that even among the Scheduled Tribe populations residing in Kashmir, only 15 per cent of total applicants from the ST pool received certificates, highlighting the region's disadvantage.
He further noted that while figures for the Reserved Backward Area category appeared more balanced, the disparity became evident when adjusted for Kashmir’s approximately 7 per cent larger population, indicating that the region still lags behind Jammu proportionally.
Amid growing concerns, the newly drafted reservation policy for 2024 has become a contentious issue, with various stakeholders demanding a more equitable system. The policy has sparked widespread criticism from job aspirants and legislators alike, who argue that it fails to provide equal opportunities for general merit candidates.
As protests and debates continue, it remains to be seen how the government will address these concerns and work toward a fairer reservation policy that ensures balanced opportunities for all communities across Jammu and Kashmir.
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