New dawn of development in J&K

Rekha Mahajan
Three years ago, on August 5, the concept of ‘Ek Bharat- Shreshtha Bharat’ got further strengthened when the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government, bridging the gap of decades, removed Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, which were left behind in the race for development. During the last three years, this region has progressed rapidly on the path of development, along with rest of the country and a new dawn of development is visible in the country as well as in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.
Jammu and Kashmir is fast moving on the path of development and peace. After the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that there would be a fresh impetus to employment and prosperity in the region. Three years ago, from August 5, an ecosystem of development was promoted in Jammu and Kashmir and a lot of employment opportunities were created. 7 new Medical Colleges and 5 new Nursing Colleges have been sanctioned for J&K and the number of medical seats almost doubled from 500.
Several hydroelectric projects have been commissioned in Jammu and Kashmir, which will benefit the industry as well as increase revenue. Ujwala, DBT, Saubhagya and many other schemes have been implemented 100 percent in Jammu and Kashmir. Prime Minister has made an ambitious plan, which envisages providing clean drinking water to every household by 2024 and the Government of Jammu and Kashmir is going to fulfill this target by August 15, 2022. Jammu and Kashmir is the only state/ UT in India where every person has got the benefit of the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Yojana. Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana- Urban and Rural, houses are being provided to the people.
In 70 years, about 2,20,000 families of Jammu and Kashmir could not get even basic facilities like houses, toilets, electricity, and water but Modi government provided all these necessary facilities to the people in 2-3 years. While preparing the plan of industrial development in J&K, care has been taken that those who set up industries in less developed areas should get more benefits, so that there can be an all-inclusive and all-around development of Jammu and Kashmir. Hindi and English have been given official language status along with Urdu and Dogri, which will make work easier. Democracy in Jammu and Kashmir has reached every village.The elections to the three-tier Panchayat system in Jammu and Kashmir were conducted peacefully. These elections marked a new beginning of development in the UT. The hilly people never got the benefit of reservation but now they are getting it.
New Chapter of Good Governance
Jammu and Kashmir became the benchmark for the country in the Good Governance Index.
50275 Projects were completed in 2021-22, while 12367 projects were completed in 2019-20. E-tendering has been made mandatory for all works. About people’s scheme, any citizen can get complete information about any ongoing project. There are about 39 thousand projects available on this at present. In 2019-20, 1325 km of roads were built under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, which increased to 3284 km in 2021-22. Under this scheme, 125 bridges will be constructed to connect remote areas.
Big leap in Energy Sector :
3500 MW poer generation so far, which is targeted to double in the next three years and triple in the next 7 years. Several hydroelectric projects have been commissioned in Jammu and Kashmir, which will benefit the industries as well as increase revenue.
Tourism gets Boost
Due to improved peace and security in Jammu and Kashmir, the tourists’ arrival has increased. The tourism industry is attaining its rightful place. 137 mountain peaks of the Himalayas have been opened for foreign tourists, out of which 15 peaks are from Jammu and Kashmir, Record number of tourists arrived by air. From October 2021 to March 2022 and more than 79 lakhs tourists visited Jammu and Kashmir. In December 2021 alone, the number of passengers arriving at Srinagar airport exceeded 3.24 lakh. 75 offbeat tourist centres are being developed. Tourism is being promoted by organising houseboat festivals,Sufi programs, literature, and other festivals.
Agriculture and farmers prosperity has been ranked third in terms of monthly income from agriculture, while in terms of agriculture and allied sectors, it has become the 5th best performing state/Union Territory. Saffron of Kashmir got a Gl tag and an increase in production doubled the income of saffron growers. The scope of benefits of Kisan Credit Card, PM Kisan Yojana increased rapidly. One paddy thresher was given free of cost in 4219 panchayats. Other local agricultural products are being promoted globally.
Prosperity in the Health Sector
At a cost of Rs 7177 crore 2 new AIIMS, 10 new nursing colleges, 2 state cancer institutes ,7new medical colleges, 5 nursing colleges are being upgraded and 274 other projects have been kept under capital expenditure .Health infrastructure is being upgraded at the district level at a cost of Rs 881 crore, out of total 140 projects,132 have been completed and the rest will be completed in 2022-23. The policy for investment in AYUSH has been approved, and the policy for drug de- addiction has also been approved. The number of oxygen plants was 24 in 2020, which increased to 173 and its capacity also increased from 14916 LPM to 1,34,916 LPM. In cases affected by Covid 418 pensions and 414 scholarships from PM Cares Fund has been sanctioned under Special assistance scheme for the family who lost the male bread earner due to Covid.
Impressive achivements in the field of Education
More than 600 construction related works were completed under Samagra Shiksha. 59 Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya and 23 Hostels. 38000 Teachers regularised in J&K . 4000 schools were equipped with solar energy. Atal Tinkering Labs will be set up in 500 schools by March 2023 Establishment of 6 Eklavya Model Residential Schools and 200 smart schools in tribal areas .IIM ,IIT was established in record time. For the first time 50 new colleges were started, in which 25 thousand additional seats were added in a year. New National Education Policy was implemented. Earlier, terrorists dominated Pulwama and now AIIMS is being built in Pulwama at a cost of 2,000 crores.
Equal rights and opportunities for women
More than 5 lakh women from 60 thousand self-help groups received benefit. ‘Hausla’ initiative gives women entrepreneurs an Proposals for Rs 52000,opportunity to carve a niche for themselves. The process to give a loan of Rs 1.58 crore to the first batch is going on. This includes access to financial assistance, linking with banks, policy incentives, assistance under Mission Youth, linking to e-commerce platforms, etc.With initiatives like Digipay Sakhi, Krishi Sakhi, Pashu Sakhi and Umeed Mahila Haat, new opportunities for women created in different fields.
New opportunities for youth
Mumkin, Tejaswani, Rise Together, Volunteer Program, etc. are giving opportunities to the youth to move forward. Placement initiatives in the corporate world with the help of platforms like AVSAR. Facility provided to 100 help administrative service aspirants. Through various schemes at the rural level, villagers are being empowered by giving them new means or employment and opportunities. The recruitment drive is going on in a big way in a transparent manner for employing qualified candidates.
More than 17 lakh youth were associated with sports activities and 1.26 lakh youth are getting coaching. Indoor sports complex is in every district, playground in every panchayat and stadium in the state alongwith facilities of international standard.
Equality and justice to all
By changing the provisions of reservation its ambit was expanded.4% to Pahari speaking people, 10% to economically weaker sections. Its coverage for other social classes was increased from 2 to 4%. The coverage of people living near the Line of Control-on the border increased from 3 to 4%.
The income limit for reservation for OBCs has been increased from Rs 4.5 lakh to Rs.8 lakh.
Reservation in assembly seats according to population. So far 5,36,4336 permanent resident certificates issued.Two tribal museums. 2 tribal buildings, up-gradation of 15 hostels, emphasis laid on infrastructure development in60 villages.
Democratic decentralization Panchayati Raj law was implemented at all three levels. District plan was approved for all 20 districts and the budget doubled to Rs 12,600 crore
Insurance cover of Rs.25 lakh to public representatives and their families. A campaign has been started to make the Government work completely paperless. 1000 Gram Panchayats have been connected with BharatNet.For the first time in the history of Jammu and Kashmir, the 150-year- old Darbar Move system has been abolished. Due to having two bi-annual capitals, all the goods were shifted by trucks. Due to this, the Government expenditure used to increase.
Decision of August 5 is firm and the determination to take Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh on a new path is also unshakable. On August 5, the entire Constitution of India came into force in Jammu and Kashmir, the entire laws came into force and we removed the biggest obstacle in the development of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh for 70 years, on August 5.