One year of abrogation of Art 370, 35-A in J&K
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Aug 4: After one year of the abrogation of Article 370 and the creation of J&K UT in Jammu and Kashmir, the people from various sections of society in Jammu have given their sharp reaction with regard to the promises made by the BJP Government at the Centre to the people of J&K and achievements made so far during past one year in various fields, whether it is industry, tourism, trade, employment, transport or other sectors.
While reacting sharply, chairman of Federation of Industry Jammu (FOIJ) and president Bari Brahmana Industries Association, Lalit Mahajan said “though we welcome the abrogation of Article 370 in J&K, yet feel that most of the promises made by the Government of India to the people of J&K remained unfulfilled. Local small scale industry has reached at the verge of closure, power supply position was not improved and no mother Industry as promised or huge investment from outside could be witnessed either in Jammu, Samba, Kathua or other parts of J&K during past one year.”
Referring to the employment generation, the FOIJ chairman said employment in the industrial sector has witnessed reverse situation. Since no new industry from outside came during past one year or so, the local units are in crisis, therefore, the question of new employment avenues does not arise. Rather, many workers have lost their jobs. The Industrial incentives practically have withdrawn and with the introduction of GEM portal from January 2020, the local small scale industry has been worst hit. No new Industrial Estate could be established and many other Jammu centric development projects remained only in slogans of the top leaders. Infact, hopes of Jammu people of massive development have shattered, the BBIA president maintained.
President, Association of Industry (AOI) Gangyal and Co-chairman FOIJ, Rattan Dogra said the Industry sector has gone from ‘bad to worse’ during past one year despite tall claims of revival of Industry by the Central BJP leadership. He said previous Central package to the Industry in J&K was stopped and the new ‘so called package’ is just an eye wash. The small scale industry has been ruined and despite repeated requests, no measures were taken for its survival or revival. It appears that Industry is no priority of present J&K UT Administration, Dogra alleged.
Dogra further said that the Dry Port project has remained on papers only. No major development project for Jammu region was witnessed during last one year. Despite several road shows outside J&K, no investment from outside could be attracted. J&K Industry has been brought with the competition to industry from Harayana, Delhi, Punjab etc. The condition of GEM portal has badly hit the local Industry which is located at most disadvantage position. There is no improvement in power sector. No new employment could be provided by Industry to the youth. No major development project was launched and there is no opening of flood gates of development in J&K as claimed by BJP leaders and no normalcy could be restored even after abrogation of Article 370 in J&K, Dogra maintained.
Deepak Gupta, general secretary Ware House Traders Association said though incidents of stone pelting in Kashmir have stopped and militancy showing decreasing trend after abrogation of Article 370 in J&K but the development sector has remained untouched. Rather work on already ongoing projects has gone very slow. The tall claims of massive development have remained in the air and the people are infact, feeling cheated.
No big Industry could be established and moreover , Tourist promotion also remained least priority. In Health sector, no major private player invested in J&K. No international level stadium was sanctioned and the Transport Industry was worst hit during last one year. Moreover, all the Jammu beautification projects are also in limbo, Gupta added.
Inderjit Khajuria, chairman All Jammu Hotels and Lodges Association and president, Jammu Paryatan Vikas Manch said that Tourism promotion seems to be no priority of this Govt. Hotel- Tourism and Transport Industry have became the major victim during post Art 370 era. There is no policy with the Government to support this Industry which is under deep crisis. Due to long curfew and bandhs, Hotel and Tourism Industry was badly hit and then after March 24 lock down, the situation further worsened, he added.
Khajuria said all the Jammu beautification projects like artificial Tawi Lake, or developing Tawi banks on the pattern Sabarmati project of Gujarat , Dogra Museum and Heritage Project, Chinab Water Supply Project etc have witnessed no significant development. Unemployment in J&K is at worst stage. There is no ray of any hope but darkness is being witnessed after abrogation of Article 370. Jammu people are feeling duped once again and have no much expectations further in coming few years, Khajuria maintained.
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