JAMMU, Feb 11: The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Tuesday placed detailed data before the Legislative Assembly highlighting significant regional variations in the issuance of reserved category certificates, while also informing the House that more than 12.36 lakh smart electricity meters have been installed across the Union Territory under central schemes.
The data on reservation certificates was shared in response to a cut motion moved by Peoples Conference president Sajad Gani Lone. According to the figures presented, Jammu division accounts for an overwhelming share of Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Caste certificates issued in the UT.
Out of a total of 7,49,970 Scheduled Tribe certificates issued so far, 6,93,781 were granted in Jammu, accounting for over 92.5 percent of the total. In contrast, Kashmir division received 56,189 ST certificates, representing around 7.4 percent.
The disparity is even more pronounced in the Scheduled Caste category. Of the 1,41,419 SC certificates issued across the Union Territory, 1,39,664 were issued in Jammu division, which translates to more than 98 percent. Only 1,755 certificates, or 1.24 percent, were issued in Kashmir. Officials indicated that the SC population is predominantly concentrated in Jammu region, and all seven Assembly seats reserved for Scheduled Castes fall within that division.
In the Reserved Backward Area category, the distribution appears more balanced. Of the 1,00,848 certificates issued under this segment, 50,982 were granted in Jammu and 49,866 in Kashmir, giving Jammu a marginal share of 50.5 percent and Kashmir 49.4 percent.
Under the Actual Line of Control category, 7,192 certificates were issued, with 6,732, or 93.6 percent, going to Jammu and 460, or 6.3 percent, to Kashmir. Similarly, all 6,732 International Border certificates were issued in Jammu division.
In the Other Backward Classes category, Jammu holds a 59.8 percent share with 78,324 certificates, while Kashmir accounts for 40.2 percent with 52,652 certificates issued.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah informed the House that the smart metering programme in Jammu and Kashmir has crossed the 12 lakh mark. A total of 12,36,507 smart meters have been installed across the Union Territory under centrally sponsored schemes including the Prime Minister’s Development Package and the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme.
In the Jammu division, 6,27,492 smart meters have been installed under the Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited. District-wise, 3,04,468 meters were installed in Jammu district, 58,707 in Samba, 39,237 in Kathua, 57,320 in Udhampur, 22,591 in Doda, 8,742 in Kishtwar, 24,902 in Poonch, 24,870 in Ramban, 25,674 in Reasi and 60,981 in Rajouri.
In Kashmir division, 6,09,015 smart meters have been installed under the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited. Srinagar leads with 2,39,147 meters, followed by Baramulla with 87,732 and Anantnag with 77,943. Other districts include Budgam with 37,009, Ganderbal with 15,427, Bandipora with 33,728, Kupwara with 24,839, Pulwama with 50,322, Shopian with 18,272 and Kulgam with 24,596 installations.
Additionally, 1,600 smart feeder meters have been installed on 11 kV feeders across ten districts of Jammu division to strengthen monitoring and reduce transmission losses.
The Chief Minister clarified that the smart meters conform to national standards prescribed by the Bureau of Indian Standards and the Central Electricity Authority and are part of a nationwide reform aimed at improving billing efficiency and reducing aggregate technical and commercial losses.
The House was also informed that 31 residential colonies in Jammu had been regularised earlier by the Jammu Development Authority, though the process has since been stayed by the High Court. The government further stated that 39 cases of residential buildings being converted into commercial establishments were reported in Jammu Municipal Corporation limits in 2025, with action taken under relevant laws and building bye laws.