Girdhari Lal Raina
Jammu Kashmir that 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. 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. 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 just and benevolent rule Maharaja Hari Singh ji.
Thus a Neo-elite- a limited class of people was created and nurtured in Jammu Kashmir post 1947. Majority of the population was excluded on one or the other pretext. This process of ‘Othering’ political opponents and potential challengers by demonising them and treating them as second class citizens was done without any remorse. This reductive action of labelling and defining a person and groups as a socially subordinate was enforced by all those who manipulated to remain in power. They have yet to reconcile to the new realities.
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 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 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 altogether. Long pending demand of Paharis for affirmative action was implemented. 4 per cent reservation has been given to them along with residents of International Border 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 on to a disadvantage have been recognised and more castes 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 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 purview of welfare schemes earlier. Under Livlihood mission 52789 Self Hoelp 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 Modi government this sector has been revolutionised in Jammu Kashmir. To begin with every citizen of Jammu Kashmir, irrespective of her/his status has been provided with 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 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 was 88%.
An amount of Rs. 7200 crores has been allotted for health infrastructure. Number of UG MBBS seats has been increased from 500 in 2014 to 1100 in 2020-21 which are 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 centres have been established in the Union Territory. During 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 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 was 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 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 on line. 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, GFR. GeM and related measures have ushered in an era of unbelievable hope.
(The author is a
former MLC and spokesperson of
BJP JK-UT).