Notwithstanding opposition from political groups, over 12,000 domicile certificates issued in Jammu alone

Dinesh Manhotra

Tribune News Service

Jammu, July 4

Notwithstanding opposition from some political parties, authorities in J&K have intensified the process to issue domicile certificates to the deserving people.

Of the total 20 districts of the Union Territory of J&K, over 12,000 domicile certificates have been issued so far in Jammu district only.

Jammu Deputy Commissioner Sushma Chauhan on Saturday reviewed the issuance of domicile certificates in all tehsils of the district through a video-conferencing meeting.

It was informed that over 12,000 domicile certificates have been issued to date, for which applications were received both online and offline.

The Deputy Commissioner appreciated the progress registered by the tehsildars seen through a high percentage of disposal of the domicile applications.

It is pertinent to mention that domicile certificates are being issued through SO 166 vide notification dated May 18, 2020.

Asking the officers to facilitate the public in applying for domicile certificates by engaging the PRIs and other public representatives, the DC laid stress on disseminating the information regarding procedural requirements for obtaining the same.

The tehsildars were directed to create awareness amongst the general public by displaying boards outside their offices depicting the procedure for applying for a domicile certificate, in an easy and understandable manner.

The tehsildars of the far-off areas informed that they were facing problems in disposal of online application due to internet connectivity.

Opposition parties have strongly opposed the decision of the J&K administration to grant domicile certificates to “outsiders”, who are fulfilling criteria to get the same under domicile law.

The NC, the PDP, the Congress and the Panthers Party have strongly opposed this move of the UT administration.

Former chief minister Omar Abdullah, who is the working president of the National Conference, had announced his party’s stand on the domicile rules, adding that there would be people on “both sides of Pir Panjal” who will suffer because of it.

“All our misgivings about the new domicile rules in J&K are coming to the fore. We in @JKNC_ opposed the changes because we could see the nefarious design behind the changes. The people of J&K on both sides of the Pir Panjal mountains will be the sufferers of these domicile rules,” Omar had tweeted.