Jitin George
For centuries, the incredible scenic beauty of Kashmir and its unique cultural and artistic traditions have inspired people from many lands and different walks of life. India’s ‘Paradise on Earth’ has always had a special significance for the nation, as much for its natural attractions as for its strategic geographical advantages. As the planet fights a losing battle with pollution and climate change, the crystal-clear lakes and the bracing clean air of the valley retain their pristine charm.
The security situation has improved a great deal, as reports of militancy related incidents indicate that attacks have declined to their lowest level in decades. Work on infrastructure development projects in all sectors is going on in full swing. In place of anger, despair and resentment, there is today an atmosphere of hope and anticipation throughout the Kashmir Valley.
Corruption, Unemployment and Terrorism
An escalation of violence fueled by the rise of fundamentalist ideologies, cross border terrorism and insurgency, has disrupted life in the region on a massive scale over the past three decades. While a large segment of the minority ‘Kashmiri Pandit’ community was forced to seek refuge in other parts of the country, those of the Muslim majority who dared to oppose the extremist dogmas also found themselves at the receiving end of the growing cult
of violence.
As those who believed in the rule of law became the unwitting targets of growing militancy, institutions were degraded and the political space of Kashmir came to be almost exclusively occupied by two families, corruption raised its ugly head, and soon became rampant. Funds allocated by the Central government for public welfare and development were routinely diverted to the friends and family of those in power in the State. The CMS-India Corruption Study 2017 placed Jammu and Kashmir among. The most corrupt states in India, stating that 84 percent of the people surveyed perceived increased corruption in public services.
Even though Jammu and Kashmir, with just about 1% of the nation’s population, received ₹1.14 lakh crore (10%) of all Central grants given to states from 2000-2016, few common people actually benefitted, as the funds were hijacked by the corrupt politicians and bureaucrats. The endemic corruption was further exposed when, in 2017, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) pulled the then state government up for dragging its feet on the implementation of the National Food Security Act and keeping a large section of the needy population deprived of the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) coverage, while “issuing food grain worth ₹17.89 crore to ineligible families.” One fallout of this scenario has been large scale unemployment, which has contributed extensively to the vicious cycle by providing fodder to militancy.
Local politicians, with the objective of keeping the common people ignorant of their rights and dues as citizens of India, have consistently misguided them in the name of Article 370 and Article 35A. The very articles which people have been made to see as representations of their identity, have worked to prevent investors from setting up industries the valley and held back necessary development by decades. Without them, unemployment, militancy and backwardness may not have become the fate of the people of Kashmir for so long.
Naya Kashmir
Finally, in a bold move, the Government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi took the historic decision of scrapping Article 370 and 35 A on 05 August, 2019 and paved the way for “Naya Kashmir”. The state was also divided into two Union Territories, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Contrary to the expectations and despite the machinations of the local politicians, the strong statement of the central government under the steward leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, was received with enthusiasm by the people of the region. The self-styled mass leaders of Kashmir, accustomed to using Article 370 to further their own agendas, were confident that the abrogation of Article 370 would result in a new phase of anti governmental agitation in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in the Kashmir Valley and allow them to revel in mass recognition as the leaders of the new movement. They were proved to have miscalculated by the resounding lack of support from the people of Kashmir, who had clearly seen through their true motives and recognized the centers move for the goodwill gesture that it was.
No more would they be deprived of the pro-people welfare schemes enjoyed by their fellow citizens, or subject to discriminatory and unjust state laws which kept them out of the national mainstream. Among the laws which were either repealed or modified were the Ranbir Penal Code (substitute of the IPC), and the Transfer of Property Act, while more than 170 central laws were made applicable including progressive laws to protect SC/STs, forest dwellers, juveniles and the aged. The people of Kashmir finally have the right to fair compensation for the land acquired. The administration, committed to social equity, removed all undue privileges of ex-ministers besides ceiling pensions for politicians.
In the welfare sector, the administration has given utmost priority to social security and in the
last year alone, pension benefits have been extended to 7,42,781 beneficiaries and minority pre-matric scholarship given to 4,76,670 beneficiaries. In the field of education, the administration added 50 new degree colleges, the largest number in 70 years, besides sanctioning or operationalizing seven medical colleges.
A unique market intervention scheme under which remunerative prices are paid through DBT has been introduced and transportation was provided by the central procuring agency to help
and stabilize the apple market. This move was a strong response to the terrorists who had threatened apple growers against plucking of the fruit from orchid in ‘protest.’ The last year has seen a global investment summit and seven roadshows during which 168 MoUs for Rs 13,600 crores were signed. The government has identified 6,000 acres of government land for industry and land has been transferred for setting up 37 industrial estates. Kashmir is finally on its way to catching up with the rest of the world in terms of economic development and social welfare.
Barely a year after the abrogation of Articles 370 and 25A, the dream of “Naya Kashmir” is visibly on the way to becoming a reality. Free and fair panchayat and local bodies elections have brought governance the doorstep of common man and with this, the rural populations have direct access to all government measures without any intermediaries and the resulting corruption. “Back to Village” and “My Town My Pride” programme have brought high-level government officials to the hitherto remote and neglected areas of the Valley, to address and resolve the problems of the people. The security situation has improved a great deal, as reports of militancy related incidents indicate that attacks have declined to their lowest level in decades. Work on infrastructure development projects in all sectors is going on in full swing. In place of anger, despair and resentment, there is today an atmosphere of hope and anticipation throughout the Kashmir Valley. The day is definitely not far when Naya Kashmir will be free from two of its greatest evils; unemployment and terrorism.
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