Just two months are over and the BJP-PDP coalition which took the mantel of governance from NC-Congress combine is yet to settle down on an even keel as controversaries one after another are plaguing the combination. The traders and Congress protests have been seen for the first time in the Valley on issues concerning people and not triggered by some separatist elements on issues which has got no consequences. Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has personally appealed to the agitating crowd to be peaceful and allow government to do its job for them. The appeal shows the seriousness of the government to address peoples’ problem in earnest way along with pursuing political goals. There is no exaggeration of the fact that whatever the present dispensation has inherited is from the NC-Cong rule, and no doubt it will take some time to bring in semblance so that the promises made during the campign for the Assembly elections do not go waste. Even the Comptroller Auditor General report points out of the time runout of 267 projects. Most of these were finalised by the previous regime and are running late and have seen cost escalations. No doubt the fallout will be there and it requires time and effort to bring the system to an accountable level. Adding to the prevailing mess is the recently announced job policy and the Permanent Resident Certificate issues. The State Govt is the largest job provider in the face of a poor private sector. Most of the policies announced till date have not been able to address the root cause and affected large scale discrimination leading to opening of backdoor channels. The emergence of frequent protests whether in Jammu or in Kashmir is a reflection of the lopsided policies of the government of the day but the present day government cannot take shelter under this alibi and will have to come out of its shell to address the problems of the people and assuage the hurt feelings. Will the State Government be able to maintain this balance? Is to be seen in future.
