Jammu, Sept. 4 -- Nearly 40% of the applications for economically weaker section (EWS) certificates filed in Kathua tehsil over the last five years have been rejected, according to data obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

In response to Jammu-based RTI activist Raman Kumar Sharma, the Kathua tehsildar said 6,963 applications for issuance of EWS certificates were received between 2022 and 2027 (to date). Of these, 4,276 certificates were issued, while 2,687 applications, close to 40%, were rejected.

Year-wise, data show a rise in both applications and rejections. In FY 2022-23, 480 EWS applications were received, 282 certificates were issued, and 198 were rejected. The numbers rose sharply in FY 2023-24, with 1,566 applica...