Srinagar, Feb. 18 -- In a post on X, Lone questioned the disparity in the issuance of such certificates between the two provinces of Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that the approval rate in Jammu is "much much higher" than in Kashmir. He emphasized that the issue lies with Kashmiri officers themselves, as "90% of such officers in Kashmir are Kashmiris."

Lone cited the case of an impoverished man seeking an EWS certificate for his child's medical treatment outside the Union Territory but facing bureaucratic hurdles.

He appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Deputy Chief Minister to intervene personally in the matter.

"Some officers are scared to issue certificates. Do we really need such officers? If they are scared, they should go ...