Dr Kapil K Sharma
Friends the latest development of Bifurcation of State of Jammu and Kashmir in two union Territories is the burning point of discussion all over.
My objective of writing this article is not to impress upon whether it’s good or bad. My goal is to clear some mist regarding ” how day to day life of average person of Jk be impacted by this development.” My observations will be Jammu and Kashmir centric because Fabric of UT of Ladakh is different.
Let’s talk about young students first. There is prevailing a great confusion regarding future of students especially among those who are seeking admission in various educational institutes including degree and professional colleges falling under various educational boards and universities of erstwhile State of J&K.
Students are worried and Thinking – All of a sudden they have to compete on All India bases. Where as previously competition was only with in state with the exception few universities having 10% quota outside Territory.
There is a panic that higher meritorious students from outside the state will outnumber our local students with in J&K.
Here I want to clearly state that nothing of that type is going to happen.
Central Government has retained 166 existing state acts among them are Kashmir and Jammu Universities Act 1969, cluster University act, Act regarding Islamic University, Baba Ghulam Shah Bad Shah University etc. Hence all the universities of Jammu and Kashmir shall work as they were working previously. There is no new binding or no new rule is imposed on them after Reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir.
Public service commission will continue to function and shall not be replaced by UPSC in UT of Jammu and Kashmir.
Board of Professional education is also intact hence no outsider is going to take our share.
Even in private colleges existing system will continue to prevail.
Let’s be assured unlike Delhi and Chandigarh Universities where everyone from all over India is eligible Nothing of that sort is going to happen in UT of Jammu and Kashmir.
Talking of unemployed Youths. J&K was one such state where employment opportunities were very limited. Article 370 was one big hurdle. No outsider was allowed to purchase land hence our state was not able to attract investors. India is growing at 7% plus GDP in spite of that fruits of this high growth failed to percolate down under. Rate of migration of educated youths to other states in search of greener pastures is one of the highest in J&K. If you look around negligible big industrial Houses ventured in JK. India is world leader in Information technology and BPO. None of them has entered J and K. Average public has hardly heard of names like Accenture, Cognizant, TCS, Northern Trust etc. Where as if you visit campuses of these Multi National Companies at Guru Gram, Noida, Mohali, Bangalore etc you will find innumerable JK youths working there. Now since level playing field is provided we shall soon see all these companies opening their offices in JK.
If Dehradun, Solan, Baddi could attract industry and boost employment there is no reason why J&K Cannot. In coming days Young educated youth of J&K will observe corporate culture in UT of Jammu and Kashmir.
Patients- Jammu is lifeline of various private sector Hospitals of Punjab, Delhi etc. It’s not that Good and Competent doctors doesn’t exist in Jammu. Government Hospitals are over burdened.
Problem is barring Narayana ( Courtesy Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board)
No big private corporate Hospitals like Apollo, Max, Fortis, Manipal Hospitals etc has entered Jammu & Kashmir.
Very basic reason was not able to buy land here even if they were provided land it was in partnership with local or some sort of arrangement with trust or Government. In other words conditions in JK was not at par with other states hence none ventured in J&K.
Hence what mushroomed in JK was referring OPDs of all these Corporate Hospitals and critical care ambulances shifting critically ill patients to these Hospitals outside Jammu and Kashmir.
Now I am sure in coming days we shall see Big players of Health care sector opening full fledged Hospitals in UT of Jammu and Kashmir. This will not only improve our health care system but also generate employment.
Government Employees are going to be biggest beneficiaries. While going through reorganization bill I couldn’t find any mention of changes in service rules for existing employees both gazetted non Gazetted (accept IAS, IPS, KAS etc.) Where as what so ever of erswhile State of J&K Is retained in form of various rules or Legislative bills is clearly mentioned. Based on that my assumption is ” New service rules” shall be endorsed. These rules shall be at par with rules existing in other Union territories.
Here I shall like to share very vital information. Reorganization bill page no 4 very clearly mentions article 239A regarding rules of UT of Puducherry. My observation is same rules will be applied in UT of Jammu and Kashmir. Many experts are quoting Rules of UT of New Delhi. New Delhi UT model will not be applicable in UT of Jammu and Kashmir just because New Delhi is National capital also.
It’s a good news for Government employees because J&K Government employees were deprived of many benefits which are applicable to Central Government employees like LTC, enhanced HRA, Medical etc. Recommendations of Pay commission will be applicable immediately without delay. Enhanced DA will be given Along with other Central Government employees without delay. All Retirement benefits shall be at par with centre. In nutshell Government employees will enjoy immense monetary benefits.
There is good news for Private sector unorganised sector workers also. In this very Monsoons session ” Bill regarding Minimum Wage Code ” falling under labour laws is also passed.
This bill has made sure minimum wage can’t be less than Rs 9975 per month for every person who is hired on full time job. It applies even to unskilled Domestic help to Safaiwalla. Now since JK is UT it is automatically applicable otherwise as per past Practice courtesy article 370 it would have required consent of JK Assembly.
Such is the impact of JK without 370 every law which is enacted by Parliament is automatically applicable in JK. Latest example is consumer bill for Adulteration passed by Rajya Sabha on Last day i.e Sixth of Aug. Is binding on UT of Jammu and Kashmir also. This bill has made Adulteration (milawat) a punishable crime. Had there been Article 370 this would have gone to back burner as well.
Small traders will get more business opportunities just because manufacturing activities will increase and they will get opportunities to expand their base from retailer to wholesalers. Many new avenues will open
Some people are apprehensive that our environment will get polluted. Jammu and Kashmir is the least polluted place in India. Here I would like to mention these days guidelines of National Green Tribunal ( NGT) are very strict. All Industries must follow these guidelines other wise they can’t operate. NGT ensures no damage to environmental and local ecology. Hence we as citizens must also make sure no violation of NGT guidance. Pollution Control Board is enforcing authority.
There are so many other aspects which I want to touch and I shall be doing so in coming days.
Till then go through this and think over it.
(The author is ex consultant of Ascoms and Hospital.)
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