Srinagar, Sept 24: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has issued 5,73,667 Scheduled Tribe-II (ST-II) certificates to eligible members of Pahari ethnic groups across the Union Territory, the Legislative Assembly was informed on Thursday.
The figures were provided in response to a question raised by MLA Narinder Singh Raina. The Revenue Minister said ST-II certificates were being issued to eligible applicants across J&K in accordance with the prescribed criteria.
According to the data tabled in the Assembly, 5,04,007 certificates have been issued in the Jammu division, while 69,660 have been issued in the Kashmir division.
Rajouri accounts for the highest number of certificates, with 3,01,091 issued so far. It is followed by Kupwara with 34,224, Baramulla with 29,635, Poonch with 18,435 and Kishtwar with 17,304 certificates.
Among Kashmir division districts, Anantnag has recorded 1,290 certificates, followed by Ganderbal with 1,018, Pulwama with 836, Shopian with 1,735, Kulgam with 347, Budgam with 336, Bandipora with 193 and Srinagar with 46.
The data for Jammu division showed 140 certificates in Jammu district, seven in Udhampur, two in Ramban, one in Samba, three in Doda, 24 in Reasi and none in Kathua.
The government said the certificates are being issued to eligible persons belonging to Pahari ethnic groups residing across Jammu and Kashmir, subject to the prescribed eligibility criteria. (Agencies)
