Jammu, Jun 27 (IANS): Allocation of domicile certificates under the new domicile law was started with the distribution of over 50 such certificates by Sanjeev Verma, Divisional Commissioner of Jammu, at a special camp, here on Saturday.

The recipients included people who were residing in J&K for over 70 years but were deprived of the citizenship rights. It included refugees from West Pakistan, people belonging to the the Balmiki Samaj, Gorkhas and others from R.S. Pura, Bishnah, Bahu, Jammu South and several other parts of Jammu.

Many senior citizens also participated in the camp.

Speaking on the occasion, the Divisional Commissioner said with the distribution of domicile certificates the long-pending demand of the people had been fulfilled.

Under the domicile rules, people and their children who have lived for 15 years in Jammu and Kashmir or have studied for seven years and appeared in class Xth or XIIth examinations from education institutions in the Union Territory are eligible for the domicile certificate.

Children of central government employees, all-India service Officers, officials of PSUs and autonomous bodies of the central government, public sector banks, the statutory bodies, central universities and recognized research institutes, who have served in the UT of J&K for 10 years are eligible for the domicile status.

Besides, all migrants and their children registered with the Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner will get the domicile certificate. Children of residents of J&K who lived outside the UT in connection with employment of business or other professional or vocational reasons are eligible for the domicile status.

West Pakistani refugees, part of the parliamentary electoral roll but not of the erstwhile state electoral roll, will also be covered under the 15-year residence rule or their children under the 7-year/class X/XII rule.