Image Source: OpIndia
In 2019, history was created when Jammu and Kashmir was bifurcated into two Union territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh on 5 August. The special status of the state was also done away with which previously altered the domicile rules of Jammu & Kashmir from the rest of India. Two draconian articles 370 and 35A, which alienated people of Jammu & Kashmir from the rest of India, were abrogated on 5 August. It’s been two years now and let’s see what all has changed after the abrogation of the articles. Although political parties in J&K have pledged to carry forward their struggle for restoration of statehood, a lot of praiseworthy steps have been taken by the Central Government to bring the people of J&K in the mainstream.
Let’s have a look at the major transformations that have taken place in the two years:
People from outside J&K can buy land there: The Centre, in October 2020, paved the way for people from outside Jammu and Kashmir to buy land in the union territory. The central government, in a gazette notification, removed the phrase “permanent resident of the state” from Section 17 of the Jammu and Kashmir Development Act that deals with disposal of the land in the union territory. Nevertheless, the amendment did not allow transfer of agricultural land to non-agriculturists barring in a few cases.
Non-local spouses of J&K women get domicile status: In July 2021, the rules were altered to allow domicile certificates to be granted to the husbands of local women who decide to marry people from outside Jammu and Kashmir. The decision will let them buy land or property in the Union territory, or apply for government jobs. All those people who have lived in Jammu & Kashmir for 15 years, or have studied for seven years and appeared in Class 10 or 12 examination in an educational institution in the region, and their children, are eligible to get a domicile status.
Separate flag of Jammu and Kashmir became defunct: In Srinagar, the civil secretariat hoisted the Indian Tricolour after the abrogation of Article 370. The state's own flag became defunct. For more than six decades, Jammu & Kashmir had a separate rectangular flag having a red background with three white vertical stripes alongside a white plough in the middle with a handle facing the stripes. The flag fluttered next to the Indian national flag on the secretariat. There was a time when pro-Pakistan separatists and terrorists had challenged anyone to hoist the National Flag in Srinagar and our Prime Minister along with many senior BJP leaders including Murli Manohar Joshi had answered the terrorists by hoisting the Tricolour in Srinagar.
No security clearance for passport to stone pelters: People who were involved in stone-pelting or subversive activities have been denied security clearance mandatory for passport and other government services from the CID wing of Jammu and Kashmir. On July 31, the order was issued and asked officials to make sure that the person's involvement in law and order, stone-pelting cases, and other crimes prejudicial to the security of the state be specifically looked into during verification related to passport service and other government schemes.
Steep decline in Terrorism: After the abrogation of Article 370, there has been an evident decline in the number of terror-related incidents in the newly formed union territories. As per a statement by the central government in March 2021 in the parliament, the terrorist violence in Jammu and Kashmir had reduced significantly in 2020 as compared to 2019. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs in April 2021, there had been 60 per cent fewer terror incidents after the abrogation of Article 370.
The sharp decline in terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir can also be attributed to the arrest of separatists and pro-Pakistan leaders in the aftermath of the abrogation of Article 370. Some of these politicians were known for bankrolling terrorism and the radicalisation of youth in Kashmir.
Growth and development: To embolden economic growth and development, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has so far signed over 168 MoUs worth Rs 13,600 crores for investments. For establishing industries in the state, 6,000 acres of government land has been acquired. To provide financial support to various projects that were commissioned years ago but were yet to be completed, the J&K Infrastructure Development Finance Corporation has been set up. As a part of the Prime Minister’s Development Programme, the outlay increased from 27 per cent to 54 per cent. The swift pace at which the projects are being completed can be gauged from the completion of the Rambagh flyover in Srinagar, which was pending for over five years. More than 30 per cent of the Jammu Ring Road has been completed. Projects worth Rs 5,979 crores have been sanctioned, and 506 projects have already been completed.
Hydro projects that were facing the lacklustre attitude of J&K politicians for more than 5 decades such as Ujh and Shahpur Kandi have been expedited. Special impetus has been placed on the development of 14 sectors for investments, which includes tourism, hydropower, electricity, education, health. Over 130 administrative reforms have been undertaken by the central government to bring about ease of doing business. In terms of the education sector, 7 new medical colleges have been initiated, 4 of which have already started functioning. The medical seats have also increased from 500 to 955 in colleges, and 25,000 seats have been added in regular degree colleges.
In April 2021, the world’s highest railway bridge over river Chenab in Jammu and Kashmir was completed. It is likely to link the Valley with the rest of India by train for the first time by 2022. The bridge, which has a central span of 467 metres, is built at a height of 359 metres from the bed level.
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