CM Sharma
There may have been a lot of criticism and disappointment amongst some political circles over the carving out of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir from the erstwhile bigger state of Jammu and Kashmir, but even the worst critiques of reorganization of the state into the Union Territory of Ladakh and Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the abrogation of Article 370/35A of Indian Constitution do concede that there was a long pending demand for grant of Union Territory status in favour of Ladakh region. There may have been some justification in their demand for restoration of Statehood for J&K (minus Ladakh). However, equating the current UT status with that of a Glorified Municipality by a prominent political personality and also the statement by another political stalwart equating the erstwhile J&K state with “Dogra Riasat” is travesty of facts. In fact, the “Dogra Riasat” was transformed into a “Kashmiri Riasat” after 27th of October 1947under the full administrative patronage of biased politicians who had struggled to end the hundred years of Dogra Rule.
As the “Kashmiri Riasat” consolidated its foothold it began to show its communal colours too. It began to lose complete trust of the local minorities following increasing attacks by the religious and regional zealots of majority community on their religious and educational institutions, groups, individuals, etc. despite of Article 370. Even the silent majority and dissenting population of own fraternity wasn't spared. Why the frenzied protesters of Kashmir targeted innocent Christians of Kashmir over the bombing of Holy Al Aqsa mosque by Israel in 1969 and why the Maulanas and Jamat-i-Islami people were attacked after the judicial killing of Late Z.A. Bhutto in Pakistan is not understood. Who will reply why the Kashmiri Hindus were targeted for revenge after alleged rigging of elections by National Conference workers in 1987? It is generally believed that after some initial deadly attacks against the miniscule Sikh population, they have been seemingly spared under warning signals from leaders of Punjab. Meanwhile, more than 99 percent of the minority families and many from the majority community have registered as migrants outside Kashmir.
Anyway, as we may go back and ponder over these issues, we hope and pray for early return of normalcy to the UT of J&K. We wish that Jammu and Kashmir becomes a Zero Crime region under the UT regime. These UTs for now are a reality and we trust what the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stated in no uncertain terms that the Statehood for Jammu and Kashmir shall be granted as and when normalcy returns to this trouble torn region. Let all the politicians too work in this direction.
Meanwhile, what is of paramount importance under the present circumstances is creation of conditions for return of normalcy. It may be a bit tedious and multi-dimensional job in the Kashmir valley, but not that much complicated for Jammu Division.
The basic requirement is to provide and consolidate a developmental and administrative structure which ensures equitable distribution of financial resources in the three geo-culturally distinct sub-regions of Jammu Division namely Chenab Valley (comprising of Kishtwar, Doda and Ramban districts), Peer Panchal region (comprising of Poonch, Rajouri and Reasi districts) and Udhampur-Jammu-Samba-Kathua belt and possessing varied potentials. Similar is the requirement in three sub-regions of Kashmir Division comprising of South Kashmir (Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian, Pulwama), Central Kashmir (Budgam, Srinagar, Ganderbal) and North Kashmir (Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipur).
Early and prioritized development and deployment of human resource and infrastructure, especially in the remote and backward regions is a must for providing adequate facilities in following four sectors:
i. Health,
ii. School and higher education,
iii. Roads/ buildings and tourism
iv. Agriculture (including horticulture, floriculture, aromatic and medicinal plant sector, sericulture, irrigation, animal, sheep and poultry husbandry, agro-forestry, etc.)
A bit of generous funding coupled with proper monitoring and supervision will encourage adoption of better technology and judicious utilization of local resources for economic development and healthy environment. Tourism development (which has immense potential in these areas) will generate immense employment opportunities within the remote sub-regions both in government as well as private sector and put a check on the migration of rural people towards the cities, thereby reducing the immense pressure which is being experienced currently by the capital cities and district headquarters. Government has already initiated establishment of hospitals, colleges, construction of roads, etc., but these need to be equipped properly and focused in the sub-regions.
Creation of Autonomous Development Councils for these sub-regions on the pattern of Leh and Kargil is a long pending demand of the people of these areas and it must be considered and conceded at the earliest being most appropriate for expeditious and potential linked development there, irrespective of the timing of grant of Statehood.
Fulfilling the developmental aspirations of local people in the remote and hilly areas will give them the reason to work and progress while staying in their villages and reap the benefits of Gram Swarajya
(Village Self-Government).
