Kamran Javid Lone
Years after the abrogation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir on August 5th, 2019, the restoration of peace and development activities stands out as its most significant achievement compared to the past. It is now evident that public and social life in the erstwhile state has returned to normal routine without disruption.
Following the abrogation of Article 370, the centre government sanctioned may projects for Kashmir. Sixty per cent of major projects have been completed, and forty percent are still in progress. The constitutional changes led to the reorganization of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. The Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh have been fully integrated into the mainstream of the nation, enjoying all the rights enshrined in the Constitution of India and benefiting from all central laws, which are now available to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. These changes have brought about social and economic development in both new Union Territories.
Empowerment of people, revival of justice, bringing equality and fairness to those discriminated against for ages, are now getting their due, along with comprehensive development, are a few of the important changes ushering both Union Territories towards the path of peace and progress. With the conduct of elections for Panchayati Raj institutions, such as Panches and Sarpanches, and Block Development Councils, a three-tier system of grassroots-level democracy was established in Jammu and Kashmir.
Since the abrogation of Article 370, significant steps have been taken towards the restoration of administrative control, encouraged by the safe environment in Jammu and Kashmir. Investment projects worth nearly 25,000 crores are under execution in the Union Territory, while proposals amounting to over 80,000 crores are under process. Earlier, Jammu and Kashmir had received partial investment totaling 14,000 crores only. However, after the abrogation of Article 370 and the introduction of new industrial development schemes, the Union Territory has seen investment proposals amounting to 81,122 crores in the last two years. Nearly 18,000 kanals (2250 acres) of land out of a total of 39,022 kanals (4877 acres) sought for setting up key units have already been allotted across both Jammu and Kashmir divisions.
With an increasing footfall of domestic and foreign visitors, tourism in Jammu and Kashmir is scaling new heights, making the Union Territory one of the most sought-after destinations in the country. Last year, the Union Territory received 1.88 crore tourists, a significant number for any region, and the administration expects arrivals to reach the two crore mark this year.
Now, not only honeymooners but even long-married couples are attracted to Kashmir, coming to celebrate anniversaries. There are no longer takers for strike calls, as common people have started reaping the dividends of peace. Before the abrogation of Article 370, not only tourism but also the education sector in Kashmir suffered immensely due to frequent strikes, stone-pelting incidents, and violence.
“Post Article abrogation every child goes to school peacefully; every businessman does his work; tourists also stay here. Truly, we are proud to be part of India. Every Kashmiri wakes up in the morning and says the same thing, “Bharat Mata ki Jai!”
(The author is a freelancer. He hails from Marhama, Kupwara.)
