📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Prime Minister's Office
Politics
J&K Job Quota Row: EWS Criteria Clash with BPL Data, Leaders Claim Discrimination
✍️ NDTV
🗓 03 Oct 2026, 04:48 AM
👁 12
In Jammu and Kashmir, a clash between the state’s below poverty line data and the criteria for issuing EWS certificates has sparked a political row, with opposition leaders alleging deliberate denial of job quotas to poor families.
The Jammu and Kashmir government is embroiled in a controversy over the eligibility criteria for the Extremely Poor (EWS) job quota. The dispute stems from a mismatch between the state’s definition of below poverty line (BPL) families and the criteria used to award EWS certificates.
According to the state’s BPL list, a certain number of families qualify for subsidies and welfare schemes. However, the EWS certificate, which entitles holders to a 5% reservation in government jobs, is issued based on a different income threshold that many argue is lower than the BPL standard.
Political leaders from opposition parties have accused the administration of deliberately denying EWS certificates to families that are already listed as BPL, thereby denying them job opportunities. They claim the criteria are manipulated to favour certain groups.
The government has defended its process, stating that the EWS eligibility is based on updated income data and that the two lists serve distinct purposes. A committee has been formed to review the criteria and reconcile the differences.
The issue has sparked protests in several districts, with workers demanding transparent and fair allocation of job quotas. The matter is now under the scrutiny of the state assembly and may lead to policy revisions.
According to the state’s BPL list, a certain number of families qualify for subsidies and welfare schemes. However, the EWS certificate, which entitles holders to a 5% reservation in government jobs, is issued based on a different income threshold that many argue is lower than the BPL standard.
Political leaders from opposition parties have accused the administration of deliberately denying EWS certificates to families that are already listed as BPL, thereby denying them job opportunities. They claim the criteria are manipulated to favour certain groups.
The government has defended its process, stating that the EWS eligibility is based on updated income data and that the two lists serve distinct purposes. A committee has been formed to review the criteria and reconcile the differences.
The issue has sparked protests in several districts, with workers demanding transparent and fair allocation of job quotas. The matter is now under the scrutiny of the state assembly and may lead to policy revisions.