Firdaus’ paradise Kashmir embraces a new life

As India celebrates its 75th year of independence, Jammu and Kashmir has completed two years of the passing of the historic Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act 2019 (abrogating Article 35A and amending Article 370 to alter J&K’s special status).The erstwhile state has experienced the following key path-breaking changes ever since, proving local, regional and international propaganda baseless and misguided.

Governance

Now central laws are applicable, including the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2007 etc.

Grassroot democracy

District Development Council elections were held in October -November 2020 with a 51.7% voter turnout. The Panchayat Act has been amended creating the 3rdtier of panchayats at district level and 44 digital village centres established at panchayat level to provide internet access to rural areas and access to government e-delivery services. First ever Block Development Councils elections were held in October 2019 with a 98.3% voter turnout. Women now benefit from reservation and under the Back to Village program over 15,000 loans, including 4600 loans for women entrepreneurs, have been disbursed.

Over 70,000 ration cards were seeded with the Aadhar Card, while 50,000 families were covered under the statesponsored health insurance schemes. The new integrated grievance redressal and monitoring system received 85,000 grievances and addressed over 90% satisfactorily.

Infrastructure development

Under the $US 7.5 billion PM’s Development Package, 54 projects have been identified, of which 20 projects have been completed or substantially completed, including an all-weather 8.45 km long hi-tech tunnel between Qazigund and Banihal, Rambagh flyover in Jammu and Indian Institute of Technology, Jammu. 13 more projects will be completed by the 2022-23 end. The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link project and the world’s highest railway bridge being constructed over the river Chenab.

Power generation capacity is being doubled, with 3000 MW to be added by 2024-25. Pakal Dul (1000 MW) and Kiru (624 MW) hydroelectric projects have begun already and 100 % household

electrification achieved and over 180,000 rural households are to be given functional household tap connections by March 2022.

Industrial development

J&K Industrial Development Policy 2021-30 has been notified and Industrial Land Allotment Policy 2021-30 adopted to allocate land to 15 industrial projects worth $US 200 million.

Employment opportunities and skill training

Over 2000 people have been employed and 15,000 new vacancies created. New publicprivate partnership based centres for invention, innovation, incubation and training will provide training to unemployed engineers. Two IT parks will also be built in J&K.

Social inclusion

Social security schemes now include over 270,000 additional people, including transgender people for the first time to grant pension benefits.

Health

Free and universal healthcare insurance scheme has been extended to all residents. Seven new medical colleges and hospitals, including two AIIMS, two cancer institutes, bone institutes and child hospitals, are being constructed. Over 85%healthcare workers have been vaccinated and 100% vaccination of 1stdose (45+ years) in nine out of 20 districts delivered. Two new 500-bed specialty COVID hospitals have been established and special monthly pensions/ scholarships are being disbursed to families who have lost their breadwinners to COVID-19.

Education

50 new colleges are being established to educate over 20,000 additional students and translation of textbooks in local languages of Dogri, Hindi, Kashmiri and Urdu for primary schools has commenced. Under the PARVAAZ scheme tutoring and guidance is being provided to students for civil services and other competitive examinations.

Agriculture

Government of J&K will receive National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED) investment worth $US 230 million into apple, walnut, cherry and pear plantations over the next five years.

Sports

$US 26 million have been allocated under the PM’s development package for upgradation of sports infrastructure which includes two Khelo India Khelo centres of excellence in Jammu and Srinagar.

Undoubtedly, Firdaus’ paradise has turned a new leaf, deflating all false propaganda that was being peddled against the historic August 2019 decision.