Jaipur Dialogues Kashmir Before And After The Abrogation Of Article 370!

[Apoorva Devanshi]

Abrogation of Article 370 and 35A has by far been the biggest landmark decision of the Modi Government. On December 11, the Supreme Court affirmed the constitutionality of the Union Government’s 2019 decision to remove Jammu and Kashmir’s (J&K) special status under Article 370. According to the court’s ruling, the State of J&K lacked internal sovereignty and the State Government’s approval was not necessary in order to apply the Indian Constitution to the state.

The opposition has been consistently critical of the abrogation of article 370. From calling it a breach of trust and injustice to even calling it “Death of Democracy”. In the light of recent developments, that is, the upholding of the Abrogation of Article 370 by Supreme Court and the passing of – Jammu & Kashmir Reservation bill , Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) bill 2023.

Lets see what has changed in Kashmir after the Abrogation of Article 370 ?

Economy –​

• During 2014–15 to 2021–22 , J&K’s economy showed a positive trend and grew at a compound annual growth rate of 5.7% which was faster than the 5.1% national average.
• The per capita income, which is currently Rs. 165755(GSDP at current prices) is rising quickly and is beginning to overtake the national income, which is currently Rs. 196716. Between FY 2014–15 to FY 2022–23 it experienced a 6% increase in Per Capita Income (PCI). It increased from 72% to 78%.
• Revenue Surplus is expected to increase from Rs. 3815 crore (2021-22) to Rs. 22,128 crore (2022-23 RE).
• The worker population ratio (WPR) rose to 58.3%. Labor force participation rate (LFPR) increased to 61.5%, and the unemployment rate (usual principal status) decreased to 5.2% in 2021–2022.
• 33.8 lakh unorganized workers registered on e-SHRAM portal.
• It ranks 1st among all UT’s in the “e-office” uptake consisting of nearly 400 offices. It has a disposal rate of 97%. Project completion increased five times, from 9,229 in 2018–19 to 50,627 in 2021-22. The numbers expected to reach 70,000 in 2022–2023.
• The Government took several initiatives to increase the farmers secondary source of income by way of diversification. Promoting sericulture, fisheries, animal husbandry and horticulture etc. Such focused interventions led to increase in the area under commercial floriculture to 191 Ha.
• According to the recent Situation Assessment Survey of Agriculture Households conducted by NSO. J&K is ranked 5th in terms of average monthly income per agriculture household (Rs. 18918). Followed by Meghalaya (Rs. 29348), Punjab (Rs. 26701), Haryana (Rs. 22,841), and Arunachal Pradesh (Rs. 19225).

Security – ​

The area used to be a hotspot for terrorist and secessionist violence sponsored from across the border.

The trend in the terrorist activities over the past years have been shown in the table below.

source: MHA Data

• There is been a 10-fold reduction in cross border infiltration from 489 incidents in 2010 to 48 incidents in 2023. The Valley has seen a sharp decline in stone-pelting incidents and a decline in terror incidents due to the deployment of an unprecedented number of security forces and strict measures by central agencies like the NIA,IB and army.
• Based on data provided by MHA during 2021, the number of stone-pelting incidents in the valley have decreased from 618 in January – July 2019 to 222 in 2020 , 76 in 2021 and not even a single incident in 2023. There were around 2,654 of these incidents and around 132 organised strikes in Kashmir in 2010 but none in 2023. The number of security forces injured in these incidents also decreased, from 64 in January – July of 2019 to just 10 in 2021.
• According to Minister of Home Affairs, Amit Shah, there was a 70% decrease in terrorist incidents, a 72% decrease in civilian deaths, and a 59% decrease in security force personnel deaths between the UPA (2004-2014) and NDA (2014-2023) periods.
• Over-ground workers (OGWs) of militant groups have also been arrested more frequently post August 5, 2019. From 82 in (Jan-July) 2019 to 178 in 2021, this number has increased dramatically. This clearly indicates improvement in “law and order” situation there.
• In addition to the 51 cases , the Special Investigation Agency at the UT level has registered, the NIA has registered 32 cases related to the terror financing. There have been up to 229 arrests made in relation to these cases.

Then to counter “Hybrid terrorism” and militant attacks on Hindus in J&K , the government is in process of implementing the ” Zero Terror Plan” which aims at ending the entire terror ecosystem in J&K.

Development –​

• Property rights of women have been restored and their non resident spouses made eligible for domicile.
• In March 2021, a total of 3800 migrants have returned to Kashmir and been provided rehabilitation packages.
• There are plans to build 15 new nursing colleges, 2 new AIIMS, and 7 medical colleges.
• Investment of Rs. 881 crore made towards the upgradation of existing institutions.
• 50 new degree colleges opened.
• The Janaushadhi Kendra’s have increased from 47 to 227. Around 83 lakh families are covered under Ayushman Bharat.
• Under Jal Jeevan Mission,99% of the population has been provided with piped water connection.
• Highest ever tourist footfall this year (2 crore in2022-23).
• Connectivity is getting better; under the PM Gram Sadak Yojana, J&K is ranked third for the length of roads built. 8000 km of new roads built in rural areas. 54 projects in line worth Rs 80,000 for development of J&K.
• There are plans to build more tunnels to cut down on traffic and travel time.
• There is a 66% increase in Pension Beneficiaries from 6 Lakh to 10 lakh.
• Union Territory of J&K is one of the seven UTs that has achieved fourth position in progress (Delta Change) of SDG Score. The territory has improved by seven points in the composite SDG Index Score and has moved to 66 score points in the SDG 3.0 Index (2022). J&K UT is now a front-runner.

Conclusion-​

The abrogation of article 370 has brought a new dawn period for Kashmir. It has opened doors of new opportunities and development. Terrorism has been consistently declining. Overall, the politics of Kashmir has truly transformed from PPP (Parivarvaad, Pattharbazi and Pakistan Parasti) to DDD (Decentralization ,Democratization and Development). Today from Lal Chowk to Lal Qila our Tiranga is flying high.



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