Jammu Kashmir Prepared for the colossal leap forward

 Girdhari Lal Raina

Jammu Kashmir which remained entangled in a web of conflicts has seen unbelievable transformation during nine years of NDA rule that is proving advantageous to its citizens, says GirdhariLalRaina

Jammu Kashmir has changed for sure. Except for Obstinate Modi haters, everyone accepts the transformation. The momentum of change, we all know, accelerated during the past decade, 9 years of Modi rule to be specific.

Jammu Kashmir remained entangled in a web of conflicts ever since India got freedom in 1947. The rest of the country, including many poorer and backward states, right earnestly began to unshackle chains of slavery, poverty, and deprivation. They focussed on raising living standards and improving the lives of their citizens.

However, the new political leadership of Jammu Kashmir had other priorities like creating fiefdoms for their dynasties.  They surrendered all the advantages accrued by the just and benevolent rule of Maharaja Hari Singh Ji.

Thus a Neo-elite- a limited class of people was created and nurtured in Jammu Kashmir post-1947.  The majority of the population was excluded on one or the other pretext. This process of ‘Othering’ political opponents and potential challengers by demonizing them and treating them as second-class citizens were done without any remorse.  This reductive action of labeling and defining a person and group as socially subordinate was enforced by all those who were manipulated to remain in power. They have yet to reconcile to the new realities.

The handling of Jammu Kashmir from New Delhi changed altogether in 2014. Symbolically speaking the Change in approach is freshening and advantageous to everyone like the Navyug and Dr.Shyama Prasad Tunnel on Jammu –Srinagar Highway in place of the Jawahar Tunnel bygone era which was more accident-prone.

Transformation of Jammu and Kashmir has taken place across the spectrum. There is hardly any sector or area that remains untouched. Some areas can be highlighted as follows.

Empowering the disempowered

The Narendra Modi-led BJP government made its policy clear by declaring SAB KA SAATH SAB KA VIKAAS as its approach and commitment. This guiding principle was visible in its actions, policy decisions, and poverty alleviation schemes under Antodhaya.

Jammu Kashmir, like any other part of the country, received the full attention of the Modi government. Every community, every region, and every section of the society was made a participant and stakeholder in the development of aspirational India. Long pending demands of almost every section were fulfilled.

Discrimination in policies was eliminated virtually all together. Long pending demand of Paharis for affirmative action was implemented. 4 percent reservation has been given to them along with residents of International Borders who have also been given 4 per cent reservation in jobs and admissions. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016was made operational in Jammu Kashmir helping differently-abled persons avail benefits accessible to their counterparts in rest of the country. This component of our population did not even figure in the scheme of earlier rulers.

Issues pertaining to the Displaced Families of 1947, 1965, and 1971 from areas illegally occupied by Pakistan were addressed, and an amount of Rs. 5.5 Lakhs per family distributed to 36384 families. 5764 refugee families from erstwhile West Pakistan were also paid this one-time compensation. OBC communities who were always put at a disadvantage have been recognized and more castes are included in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) list to extend reservation benefits to more marginalized castes in the Union Territory. Jats, West Pakistani Refugees, Gorkhas, Wagheys, and Ponywallas are among the new classes in the list of the OBCs.

Welfare Schemes for All

 Similarly under different welfare schemes benefits were provided to citizens of Jammu Kashmir without any discrimination of caste, colour creed, region and religion.  Under the PM UjjwalaYojna scheme, for example, a total of 12, 45,339 new connections were provided. Under PM AwaasYojna 49,141 units were sanctioned in urban areas of the UT. Out of it 18,461 were handed over to the beneficiaries. 132760 houses in PMAY rural have also been allotted. With around 2 lakh more units sanctioned recently.

Economically weaker sections from all communities have been provided 10 per cent reservation. This benefit is extended to the Displaced Community from Kashmir also, who were otherwise excluded from the purview of welfare schemes earlier. Under Livelihood Mission 52789 Self Help Groups have been formed benefitting around 4,51,053 ladies of the UT. Also, 2, 29,363 benefitted under SukanyaSamridhiYojna.

Likewise 11, 68,057 Farmers are paid Rs.6000 per annum under KissanSammanNidhi. Also, 3,26,226 persons benefitted under the Prime Minister Crop insurance scheme.

 Health Service Sector reforms

Health services in Jammu and Kashmir have always been lagging forcing patients from the UT to visit other places for health care needs. During the last 9 years of the Modi government, this sector has been revolutionized in Jammu Kashmir. To begin with every citizen of Jammu Kashmir, irrespective of her/his status has been provided with an Ayushman Bharat Golden card, nicknamed Modi card by the poor beneficiaries. Under this scheme beneficiary families get an insurance cover of Rs. 5 Lakhs per annum. Records available say the Number of Beneficiaries has been identified at 9717471. From them, a Total Pre-Authorization Requests of 847361 were received. 8210171 Ayushman Cards have been  Issued. till recently Total Claims Submitted were 811495   out of which Claims Settled were 88%.

An amount of Rs. 7200 crores has been allotted for health infrastructure. The number of UG MBBS seats has increased from 500 in 2014 to 1100 in 2020-21 which is likely to go up further to 1300 in 2022-23. Two AIIMs are coming up fast at Vijaypur Jammu and Awantipur Kashmir. Besides 7 new Medical colleges, 7 new Nursing colleges, and 2029 Health and wellness centers have been established in the Union Territory. During the Chinese exported COVID-19 pandemic oxygen plants were installed in every district and two DRDO hospitals were also established to cater to the needs of people.

Governance Transformed

People in Jammu Kashmir have lived as the worst sufferers of corruption in accessing public services for decades. Governance was practically non-existent for common citizens. If the administration worked at all, it was only for the rich and influential. Several studies put Jammu Kashmir among the worst corrupt states.

Transparency and accountability were not known here. Audit reports of CAG regularly pointed out systemic flaws. Yet there was no one to respond beyond rhetoric.

Now the UT is witnessing an era of good governance. Not only has a new financial system –accessible and transparent — been introduced; capacity building programmes for the senior officers of the Jammu & Kashmir administration are being undertaken at regular intervals. This is taking J-K to new heights.

Under the new system the government procurement, recruitment, spending of its resources, taxation, or deployment of resources is available online. Implementation of transformative reforms such as Budget estimation and allocation systems (BEAMS), online submission of bills through J-K PaySys, mandatory administrative approvals, technical sanctions and e-tendering, digital payments, and GFR. GeM and related measures have ushered in an era of unbelievable hope.

 

(Author Girdhari Lal Raina is a former MLC and spokesperson of BJP JK-UT)

The views and opinions expressed in this article are the personal opinions of the author.