AR Bhat
Jammu & Kashmir is an Indian state that has its own distinct and peculiar cultural ethos. The state has a pre dominant place as it shares the international boundary with Pakistan & China. It is enriched with the boundless beauty of snow-clad mountain, large natural lakes, forests, rivers & springs. It comprises three main natural regions, namely Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh. The time period which has lapsed since the abrogation of Art 370 might not be sufficient enough to turn things around for a region like Kashmir, which has perpetually remained disturbed & hasn’t witnessed substantial progress for over several decades. However, the good news is that the region is now progressing & developing at an unprecedented pace while combating the challenges of terrorism, all attributable to cooperation and harmony amongst government, inhabitants of the region & the Army.
Abrogation of Art 370 constitutional change has led to empowerment of people, removal of unjust laws, bringing in equality & fairness to those discriminated since ages and has paved a way for comprehensive development thereby ushering the UTs towards path of peace & prog. Introduction of National Single Window System is a giant leap towards making India Atmnirbhar. The single window portal will be a one stop shop for investors for approvals & clearances via end-to-end facilitation whilst inducing transparency & accountability. Development of rural area is the key to development of a UT. The rural sector needs infrastructure to sp & ensure significant investments for which fwg have been induced such as under MGNREGA, 426 Lakh person days are tgt to be generated during 2022-23 & 60,000 job cards are proposed to be issued. Under PMAY-G during 2022-23, addl 54,000 houses will be constructed & also 87,250 indl household latrines (IHHL) & 2500 community sanitary complexes will be completed by 2023. Addl allotment of ₹ 176.32 cr has been kept for the same in the budget which would facilitate upcoming small & medium scale industries & development of residential colonies alongside. A total of 6000 km of black topping of roads is expected to be achieved especially in the remote villages of the valley under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna.
Kashmir has already carved a niche for itself in handicrafts, silk, shawls & papier-mache market. ‘Udaan’ scheme, a special industry initiative (SII) for the state of J&K is being funded by MHA. Numerous other schemes & pgmes are being run under the umbrella of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojna esp aimed at empowering women by teaching them skill sets such as stitching weaving & embroidery.
Kashmir is busy transforming itself into a state of dreams & achievements. The recent changes in norms & policies & primarily restoration of peace & infra devp has led to a large influx of tourists providing employment for people & revenue generation for the Govt. The present tourism policy aims at imparting training to around 4000 tourist service providers to promote all season & all kinds of tourism. J&K Ayush Care investment policy has been implemented to provide quality healthcare services to masses at their doorstep as also to promote establishment of medicine plants and herbal medicine industry in a short time frame. There has been a paradigm shift in livening up the sports infra horizon as a galaxy of sportsperson have become household names. Small scale sporting tournaments & handsome prizes have attracted huge populace towards active participation in sports at all levels. The unique & humane initiative undertaken by Indian Army in valley to address the aspirations of people affected by scrooge of terrorism has yielded glorious results. Not only restoration of peace & cordial public relations, it has also led to multi-faceted development across all spheres in the region.
As a state with unique features & a strategy loc, speedy devp of J&K needs an integrated approach with joint efforts by govt machinery, army & the locals to create a secure envt. Sound policies, their implementation and maint of peaceful sit & law & order will pave a way for a brighter Kashmir in the days to come. Only if bonhomie & a holistic approach prevails, J&K will continue to advance on the path of development.
