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JAMMU AND KASHMIR 4 YEARS SINCE ABROGATION OF ARTICLE 370

The abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir was a historic decision by the Indian government that aimed to integrate the region more fully with the rest of the country and bring development and peace to the people. The erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir was divided into two union territories: Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. In the four years since the abrogation, there have been a number of positive changes in the region. These include:


Decline in Terrorism

1. There has been a decline in terror-related violence in J&K. According to data from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the number of terror-related incidents in Jammu and Kashmir has declined by 59% in 2020 compared to 2019. The number of deaths in terror-related incidents has also declined by 67%.

2. While 124 civilians were killed at the hands of police and security forces during protests and stone-pelting incidents from 5-08-2016 to 5-08-2019, not a single such incident was reported in the last four years, official figures reveal.

3. While 35 militants were killed in various operations by the security forces from January 1 to August 5 this year, the number was over 120 in the same period last year.

4. According to official data several infiltration attempts have been foiled this year and only a handful of locals have joined militancy till July end. Also, the number of active militants has come down to double digit.


Increase in Investment

There is a visible increase in investment and development as the region is now governed by same laws and policies as rest of the India. The central government has approved a number of investment schemes for Jammu and Kashmir, which includes a new Industrial Development Scheme with an outlay of Rs 28,400 crore. In 2022, J&K received record investment of Rs 1547 Crore.

Since Independence, J&K had received private investments to the tune of Rs 14,000 crore only. However, after the abrogation of Article 370 and introduction of new Industrial Development Scheme, the UT has received investment proposals worth Rs 81,122 Crore

Jammu and Kashmir got its first foreign investment from Dubai’s Emaar Group (the makers of Burj Khalifa) amounting $60 million (Rs 500 Crore) to build shopping and office complex in Srinagar.

Over 500 start ups have come up in J&K in last 3 years and the state economy recorded a growth rate of 14.64 percent in fiscal year 2021-22.

Various policy initiatives have been taken by the government of Jammu and Kashmir, which include J&K Industrial Policy 2021-30, J&K Industrial Land Allotment Policy 2021-30, J&K Private Industrial Estate Development Policy 2021-30, J&K Wool Processing, Handicrafts and Handloom Policy 2020.

11. Jammu and Kashmir received investments worth about ₹2200 crore and generated more than 10,000 jobs in one year under its New Industrial Policy 2021. As per the data revealed by the New Industrial Policy officials, a total of 5327 investment proposals have been received for J&K. The investment amount of all these proposals stands at ₹66,000 crore





The government has also announced a number of measures to boost tourism in the region. Several projects related to infrastructure, health, education, tourism, agriculture, and industry are under execution or in the pipeline, creating employment and income avenues for the locals. The state received 1.27 Cr tourist in 2023 and is set to break the record of 1.88 Cr tourist footfall in 2022. In this regard, the G20 meeting on Tourism in Kashmir successfully showcased not only Jammu and Kashmir's tourism potential but also the record increase in tourist arrivals since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.

Two AIIMS have been set up in the state, one is situated in Jammu and other in Awantipur, Kashmir. In 2022, 50 new colleges were established in J&K which led to the addition of 25000 seats for college students.





Khadi and Village Industries Commission, KVIC under its flagship program PMEGP created 1.73 lakh new employment in 2021-22 in the Union Territory. The PMEGP scripted history by setting up 1.03 lakh new manufacturing and service units and creating over 8.25 lakh jobs in India in the year 2021-22


Upliftment of marginalized sections

The abrogation of Article 370 along with Article 35A has led to a number of changes that have benefited women in Jammu and Kashmir. For example, women are now allowed to inherit property from their parents, regardless of whether they are married to a local or non-local man. They are also now allowed to enter government jobs without any discrimination

The revocation of Article 370 also ensured that the people of Jammu and Kashmir enjoy the same rights and benefits as other citizens of India, such as reservation for women, SCs, STs, OBCs, and PWDs in education and employment, minimum wages, social security schemes, land rights, etc.


Integration with National mainstream

The abrogation of Article 370 has led to a greater sense of security and self-belongingness among the people of Jammu and Kashmir. They now feel that they are indeed an integral part of India, and that their future is secure. There are no takers of strike calls given by separatists and militants in Kashmir anymore as the common man has started to reap the dividends of peace and prosperity.


Deepening of Democracy

The people of Jammu and Kashmir also participated in various local elections, such as the District Development Council (DDC) polls, which were held peacefully and transparently. The people of J&K have been freed from the rule of two families with the emergence of more parties and greater grass root democracy.

Earlier in Kashmir there were 90 MLAs and 6 MPs. Today more than 30,000 panch, sarpanch are in the tehsil panchayat and Zila Panchyat. These members are working for the leadership in the panchayat system in Kashmir,” the Union Minister stated in his virtual address at the ‘Kashmir Mahotsav’.

A spectacular reflection of this was witnessed on ground during a grand event which was held on August 3 2023 at Government Degree College (GDC), Shopian in which, according to reports, hundreds of students, academicians, journalists and people from other walks of life spoke about peace, nation building and institution building.


Conclusion

The positive changes that have taken place in the past four years due to the concerted efforts of J&K administration, Central Government and the people of J&K, are a testament to the potential of the region. The visible improvement in the security scenario of the state is quite evident with the fall in militancy and terrorism, this has led to boost in confidence of investors willing to invest in the region. The channelization of youth energy towards positive development, focusing on their education, health and skilling have transformed the lives of youth in the region. With continued investment and development, Jammu and Kashmir can soon become the beacon of peace and prosperity in India.

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