Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Oct 05
People’s Conference chairman and Handwara MLA Sajad Gani Lone has called for a review of the policy governing Economically Weaker Sections certificates in Jammu and Kashmir, citing a regional disparity in their issuance.
Lone said around 92% of EWS certificates issued so far were from Jammu and about 8% from Kashmir.
He made the remarks while speaking to reporters in Handwara after a meeting with government officials.
Lone said the issue should be examined by the Omar Abdullah-led government and the existing criteria reviewed.
He said the concern was not necessarily about wrongdoing but about whether the policy framework was producing an equitable outcome.
“If 92 percent of the certificates had been issued in Kashmir and 8 percent in Jammu, I would have raised my voice even then,” he said, questioning whether such a distribution reflected the actual distribution of economically weaker people.
Lone also criticised the administration, alleging that people were facing unnecessary difficulties in obtaining permissions and accessing government services.
He said the Assembly Speaker had assured him that lawmakers could bring a Privilege Motion if departmental authorities ignored recommendations made by MLAs.
On the Jal Jeevan Mission, Lone expressed concern over delays in implementing water-supply schemes in J&K.
He said the centrally funded programme had a fixed timeline and that the region had already lost about two years.
Lone said the immediate priority should be to ensure water reaches residents and that officials responsible for delays would have to explain them.
He said efforts would be made to accelerate pipeline laying and completion of pending schemes.
Lone also said his office had begun regular coordination and reviews with government departments to improve delivery of public services.
