Title: Over 83,000 non-state subjects received J&K domicile: State Govt
The state government of Jammu and Kashmir has recently revealed that a staggering number of over 83,000 non-state subjects have received domicile certificates in the last two years. This information was shared by the Jammu and Kashmir Revenue Department in a written reply to a query by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) MLA, Waheed ur Rehman Para. According to the department, a total of 35,12,184 domicile certificates were issued during this period.
The issuance of domicile certificates to non-state subjects in Jammu and Kashmir has been a contentious issue, with many raising concerns about the potential impact on the state’s demography and the rights of its permanent residents. The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019, had introduced the concept of domicile certificates, which are issued to individuals who have been living in the state for at least 15 years or have made significant contributions to the state’s economy, culture, or society.
The certificate is considered essential for availing various benefits and services offered by the government, including employment, education, and healthcare. However, the process of issuing domicile certificates has been criticized for being opaque and prone to abuse, with many allegations of corruption and irregularities.
The Revenue Department’s response to PDP MLA Waheed ur Rehman Para’s query provides some insight into the scale of the issue. According to the department, a total of 35,12,184 domicile certificates were issued in the last two years. This translates to over 83,000 non-state subjects receiving domicile certificates, which is a significant number considering the state’s population.
The data also reveals that the majority of domicile certificates were issued to individuals who had been living in the state for at least 15 years. According to the department, 24,93,411 certificates were issued to individuals who had been residing in the state for 15 years or more, while 10,18,773 certificates were issued to individuals who had made significant contributions to the state’s economy, culture, or society.
The issuance of domicile certificates to non-state subjects has been a contentious issue in Jammu and Kashmir, with many permanent residents of the state expressing concerns about the potential impact on their rights and benefits. The Jammu and Kashmir Domicile Law, 2019, was introduced to regulate the issuance of domicile certificates and to ensure that only eligible individuals receive these certificates.
However, the law has been criticized for being ambiguous and prone to misuse. Many have argued that the law is vague and does not provide clear guidelines for determining eligibility for domicile certificates. This has led to widespread allegations of corruption and irregularities in the issuance of domicile certificates.
The controversy surrounding the issuance of domicile certificates has also led to tensions between different communities in Jammu and Kashmir. The issue has been politicized, with various political parties and groups taking different stands on the issue.
The Jammu and Kashmir government has been accused of issuing domicile certificates to individuals who do not meet the eligibility criteria. Many have alleged that the government is using the domicile certificates as a way to appease certain groups and to reward political loyalists.
The controversy surrounding the issuance of domicile certificates has also led to concerns about the potential impact on the state’s demography. Many have argued that the influx of non-state subjects could alter the demographic balance of the state, which could have far-reaching consequences for the state’s politics, economy, and social fabric.
In conclusion, the issuance of domicile certificates to non-state subjects in Jammu and Kashmir is a complex and contentious issue. While the certificates are essential for availing various benefits and services offered by the government, the process of issuing them has been criticized for being opaque and prone to abuse.
The data provided by the Revenue Department reveals that over 83,000 non-state subjects have received domicile certificates in the last two years. This is a significant number, and it raises concerns about the potential impact on the state’s demography and the rights of its permanent residents.
The Jammu and Kashmir government needs to ensure that the issuance of domicile certificates is transparent, accountable, and fair. The government must also take steps to address the concerns of permanent residents of the state and to ensure that their rights and benefits are protected.
Sources:
https://thecsrjournal.in/non-state-subjects-received-domicile-certificates-last-two-years-jk-govt/
