Rustam
JAMMU, Nov 29: The population of Kashmir region cannot be more as compared to Jammu Pradesh. It would be only appropriate to quote here some statistics from the 2011 census report on Jammu & Kashmir to set the record straight. These statistics do indicate certain glaring disparities between Kashmir and Jammu as far as the number of households and gas connections are concerned.
The number of households in Jammu Pradesh, which has almost double the land area as compared to Kashmir and which contributes more than 70 per cent revenue to the state exchequer annually, is 10,21,244. The break-up is: Jammu district 3,02,016; Poonch district 88,878; Rajouri district 1,24,000; Kathua district 1,17,836; Doda district 78,620; Ramban district 54,206; Kishtwar district 44,517; Udhampur district 93,562; Reasi district 54,792 and Samba district 62,817. Contrast to this, the number of households in Kashmir province, minus the trans-Himalayan Ladakh region, is 9,54,855. The break-up is: Srinagar district 1,67,448; Kupwara district 1,06, 777; Budgam district 99,219; Bar-amulla district 1,45,990; Ban-dipora district 56,794; Ganderbal district 43,249; Pulwama district 81,241; Shopian district 41,947; Anantnag district 1,42,987 and Kulgam district 69,203. The difference between Kashmir and Jammu in terms of households is 46,389. It is not an insignificant different. It is, in fact, a huge difference and points to the fact that the population of Jammu Prad-esh is more as compared to Kash-mir. Those who say that the fertility rate in Kashmir is higher because it houses a particular community conveniently forget that the community they talk about also has a significant presence in Jammu Pradesh. In fact, this community constitutes aro-und 32 per cent Jammu Pradesh's population.
That population of Jammu Pradesh appears more can also be seen from the number of cooking gas cylinders in Kashmir and Jammu. In Jammu Pradesh, the number of gas connections is 3,43,732. The break-up is: Jammu district 1,97,168; Poonch district 13,160; Rajouri district 23,946; Kathua district 32,772; Doda district 7,963; Ramban district 3,982; Kishtwar district 4,118; Udham-pur district 20,008; Reasi district 6,552 and samba district 34,063. Contrast to this, the number of gas connections in Kashmir region is 2,75,205. The break-up is: Srinagar district 1,38,119; Kupwara district 15,828; Budgam district 15,118; Baramulla district 33,022; Bandipora district 8,868; Ganderbal district 10,410; Pulwama district 16,828; Shopian district 3,727; Anantnag district 28,984 and Kulgam district 4,301. The difference between Kashmir and Jammu in terms of gas connections is 68,527. It is again a huge difference.
What does all this suggest? It clearly debunks the claim of those who say that the population of Jammu Pradesh is less as compared to Kashmir region. It also suggests that the people of Jammu Pradesh make a point when they question the census figures as far as population is concerned and say there is a fit case for fresh census operations exclusively in their region. It is indeed intriguing that the Jammu-based political outfits have not done anything whatsoever in order to present the Jammu case and obtain for its people what they legitimately deserve in the state's socio-economic and political processes.
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