TARUN CHUGH
August 5 is a historic date for India and Jammu and Kashmir. It marks a unique day in history. On this day in 2019, the long-awaited demand for a unified India was fulfilled, and Jammu and Kashmir became an integral part of India. With this, the essence of Kashmiriyat returned. Once familiar with terrorism, dynastic politics, corruption, violence, and migration, Jammu and Kashmir began to open doors to prosperity and development. The new dawn after the abrogation of Article 370 has started to spread its light. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the rise of development and trust in Jammu and Kashmir has transformed its image and destiny. As terrorism and dynastic politics came to an end, a prosperous image of Kashmir began to emerge to the world. The light of development and nationalism has given Kashmir its glorious history. As a result, in the Amrit Mahotsav of independence, the curse of Article 370 was repealed, and the pace of development accelerated in the Amrit Kaal. For the first time, Lal Chowk in Kashmir was adorned with the tricolor and resonated with the chant of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai.” The name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi echoed everywhere. With the Prime Minister being seen as a champion of development, a new path has opened for the development of Srinagar as a tourist capital, a path of development, nationalism, a bright future, national unity, and integrity.
From the Jana Sangh to the BJP, there has been a continuous struggle to recognize Kashmir as an integral part of India. Since the time of the Jana Sangh, slogans like “One Nation, One Law, One Leader” were raised. Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee became the first martyr of independent India for Kashmir. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resolute will and determination culminated on August 5, 2019, with the abrogation of Article 370, making the dream of a unified India a reality. After the abrogation of Article 370, Prime Minister Modi ushered in a wave of development and trust in Jammu and Kashmir, spreading the essence of Indianness. What used to be a bastion of fear and anti-national forces in Kashmir now exhibits a sense of patriotism. Once entangled in dynastic politics and terrorism, Kashmir now waves the flag of nationalism and development. The dream of “One Nation, One Law, One Leader” has been realized. The line of an undivided, unified, powerful, and strong India has been drawn in Kashmir. The social, geographical, and economic integration of Jammu and Kashmir has been ensured.
Before August 5, 2019, Jammu and Kashmir was among the most backward states and union territories in terms of industrialization. Under its constitutional and administrative setup, no citizen or investor from India or abroad could settle permanently in Jammu and Kashmir. Therefore, external investors were wary of investing in Jammu and Kashmir. Terrorist violence was a barrier to its economic-industrial development. Unemployment was rising, and government jobs were accessible only to the influential. Jammu and Kashmir was treated differently from other Indian states. This caused the State to remain distant from the mainstream. Due to Article 370, Parliament had the power to legislate on matters of defense, foreign affairs, and communication concerning Jammu and Kashmir, but had to seek state government approval for laws on other subjects. Indian Parliament could legislate only within a limited scope regarding Jammu and Kashmir. Many provisions of the Indian Constitution did not apply to Jammu and Kashmir due to Article 370. Now, 170 central laws, which were previously not applicable, are enforced in the region. Presently, all central laws are applicable in Jammu and Kashmir, and the situation has completely changed.
With the will power of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, the abrogation of Article 370 has connected the people of Jammu and Kashmir to the national mainstream. There has been a surge in the establishment of businesses and industries, positively impacting the state’s GDP. The new industrial policy, guaranteeing investment security post the abrogation of Article 370, is showing results. Investments have started flowing in within a span of five years. Several agreements have been made for investments, and major national groups in the health and medical education sector have also proposed investments. Tourism, film tourism, horticulture, post-harvest management, agriculture, food processing, sericulture, health, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, IT, renewable energy, infrastructure, real estate, handloom and handicrafts, and education sectors have also seen transformations.
With the fulfillment of Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee’s resolution of “One Nation, One Constitution, One Pradhan,” Jammu and Kashmir, along with Ladakh, is now advancing on the path of development with the rest of the country. By bridging decades-long gaps, the Narendra Modi government has put Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on the path of development by repealing Article 370, ending 70 years of dissatisfaction. The region has embarked on a new journey of development in just two years.
For the first time, the Valmiki community, Gorkha people, and refugees displaced from West Pakistan will have the right to vote in state elections. The domicile law has been implemented, with a new definition considering individuals residing in Jammu and Kashmir for 15 years or more as residents. The path to resettling Kashmiri Pandits, who were displaced from the Kashmir Valley in 1990 has been cleared. Efforts are underway to create job opportunities and transit accommodations for Kashmiri migrants. The long-stalled Shahpur-Kandi dam project has commenced.
The central government has rapidly initiated all individual beneficiary schemes and flagship programs in Jammu and Kashmir. Several development projects under the Prime Minister’s Development Package 2015 have been completed. Dedicated to the principles of Antyodaya and the spirit of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas,” the Narendra Modi government has given a new pace to development in the long-neglected Jammu and Kashmir. For the first time, industrial development will reach the block level in Jammu and Kashmir under any central industrial promotion scheme. Thus, both the image and destiny of Kashmir are changing, and soon Jammu and Kashmir will stand among the developed states of the country.
Today, Jammu and Kashmir has become a tourism hub, made history by hosting the G20, become a center of peace and good governance, rejected terrorism as part of undivided India, and is rejecting corruption and dynastic politics. The budget for fiscal year 2024-25 has laid the foundation for the elevation and development of Jammu and Kashmir. Comprehensive development has been planned in tourism, agriculture, employment, industry, education, health, and all sectors.
In the central budget, a competitive project for agriculture and related sectors will be implemented in Jammu and Kashmir with an estimated value of $100 million from the International Agricultural Development Fund, and a comprehensive agricultural development programme with an approval of Rs 5013 crore will execute all 29 projects in five years, writing new chapters in agricultural progress. Under the “World’s Largest Grain Storage” plan, grain storage units will be constructed in six districts with a shortage of storage facilities.
12,000 additional Self-Help Groups (SHGs) will be established, creating employment opportunities. Six new offbeat tourism sites will be developed in Jammu and Kashmir divisions, 75 identified heritage and cultural sites will be renovated, and eight cultural centers will be established.
To achieve the goal of “Made in Jammu and Kashmir,” work will be undertaken, and under the Jammu and Kashmir Rural Employment Generation Program, a target of establishing 1,372 units in fiscal year 2024-25 has been set. A new startup policy will be introduced to create an entrepreneurial ecosystem.
To ensure healthy Jammu and Kashmir, two cancer institutes in Jammu and Srinagar will be fully operational during 2024-25, DNB seats will be increased to 400, and an AABHA ID will be created for a population of 1.35 crore. AIIMS Avantipora will be made functional by March 2025. Thus, liberated from the curse of Article 370, Jammu and Kashmir has now received the boon of development.
(The writer is BJP National General Secretary and the party incharge for J&K and Ladakh)