Brig Anil Gupta
The vast majority of the people of Jammu and Kashmir are rejoicing at the extension of President’s Rule in the State for another six months. It is not normal that people want the Central rule to continue, in fact, they eagerly await the return of the popular Government for obvious reasons. However, J&K is an exception and special in this regard because under the garb of Article 370 the state has been subjected to the worst kind of governance by the earlier elected governments. J&K has been a victim not only of cross border terror, militancy and backwardness but also of poor governance to include disconnect with masses, nepotism, favouritism, corruption, lack of transparency and accountability, regional discrimination, lack of approachability and administrative inertia. Poor governance is among one of the many problems that plague Kashmir as well leading to the present state of affairs. Kashmir also suffers from political radicalisation apart from religious radicalisation and poor governance characterised by false and broken promises is the root cause of same.
A total disconnect exists between the three regions of the state. For the lust of power, the political parties have tried to divide the state in order to garner votes rather than unite it. The emphasis has been on creating more administrative units rather than good and responsive administration. Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) announced from time to time to address the turmoil in Kashmir have just been cosmetic in nature more for appeasement and less for effect. These further widened the gulf between the three regions with other two labelling these as discrimination. The administration rather than addressing the public related issues was busy in promoting dynastic rule in the state. Net result was severe disappointment of the public and grave dejection due to unresponsive administration and “couldn’t careless” attitude of their political bosses. “Exclusivity” rather than “inclusivity” was the norm with the elected governments since they had so manipulated the power structure in the state that Valley became exclusive centre of power while Jammu and Ladakh became perpetual subservient to Kashmiri dominance. The leaders of these two regions virtually resigned to their fate and accepted Kashmiri patronage as the norm to their political empowerment. The majority population in Kashmir was also disenchanted with their leadership because they plundered the huge financial packages given by the Governments in Delhi for the development of the state by filling own pockets and of their cronies and favourites.
People had started losing faith in elected governments. Moreover, “anti-India” narrative built in Kashmir over a period of time had created fissures among the Kashmiris itself. The nationalist voices bravely faced the challenge posed by separatist and extremist forces. The Kashmir-centric political parties depend to a large extent on the latent support of the Hurriyat and Jamat-e-Islami Kashmir. Hence, rather than concentrating on fair, clean and responsive administration they remained busy in flirting with the separatists and extremists thus putting the “Nationalist” agenda on the back burner.
Modi Government at the Centre was keenly observing the happenings in the state. 80,000 crore package given by the Prime Minister for the development of all three regions of the state was not making much headway due to inept bureaucratic handling and inadequate political control. Wide ranging corruption, bureaucratic inertia and absence of proper governance was not only fuelling the turmoil in Valley but also the other two regions were getting alienated as well. It was this hopelessness that led the majority of the people to welcome the first ever career politician as the Governor of the State. The decision of Modi Government to break the well- established practice of appointing an army General/ a bureaucrat as Governor of the State by a career politician evoked a mixed-response to begin with. The power brokers who felt threatened made lot of hue and cry and termed the move as “political manipulation” with an eye on the ensuing elections. They misinterpreted the intent of Modi Government which had decided to showcase to the people of state as to what good governance meant and let them have a first-hand experience of a responsive administration devoted to the holistic development of all the three regions of the state without any bias/discrimination. Peace and Development were the two cornerstones of the Central Government’s policy for J&K.
The Governor was tasked to win hearts and minds of the people of the state through good governance under the watchful eyes of the Prime Minister and the Home Minister. The mandate to the Governor was unambiguous with instructions to deliver. The “Delivery Mechanism” was almost non-existent during the tenures of earlier elected governments which irked the public maximum.
Governor Satya Pal Malik with his team of advisors lost no time and began to act from day one. He introduced a number of administrative reforms which were welcomed by the people. It was evident from the initial actions that the thrust of the government would be not only on “delivery” but also rooting out corruption which has become very rampant. The State Administrative Council (SAC) under the chairmanship of Governor began with rejuvenating the projects sanctioned under the Prime Minister’s Development Package of 80,000 crore and took landmark development initiatives and decisions to put the various projects on track by removing administrative bottle necks. Many of the projects have been put on fast track so that people can enjoy the fruits of development.
The next major initiative of the Government was creation of Jammu & Kashmir Infrastructure Development Corporation (JKIDC). It was to raise a capital of 8000 crore and give major thrust to infrastructure, particularly languishing projects – some for over 20 years. Approved projects are to be completed in 18 months, with time-bound monitoring. Talks have also been initiated for fresh loan from Asian Development Bank (ADB) for new developmental projects. Shahpur Kandi Dam Project and Ujh Multipurpose Project which were in limbo for 40 years have been revived and MOU signed with Punjab Government. The twin-project will not only make the state self-sufficient in electricity but will prove to be a game changer as far as the Kandi (dry and arid) belt of the Jammu region is concerned by converting it into a green belt with irrigation facilities. A number of hydro-electric projects in Jammu region have also been sanctioned. Incidentally, most of these projects were victim of regional discrimination during the rule of Kashmir-centric elected Governments.
The other major development initiatives of Governor’s administration include putting the gas pipeline project on fast track, new power corridor to J&K – 1000 MW capacity 400 KV Line Jalandhar-Samba-Amargarh transmission line (350 Km) commissioned, 400/200 KV Gas Insulated Power Substation (GIS) commissioned at Magam in Kashmir, Baramulla-Kupwara Rail Link, four-laning of Jammu-Poonch NH, Dal Lake rejuvenation and beautification, around 500 connectivity works including roads and bridges allotted under PMGSY- over 700 km of road length macadamized.
The infrastructural development includes 100 percent Household electrification,nearly 6000 new houses constructed under PMAY, 20000 new houses sanctioned, 1 million toilets constructed, 40 new Degree Colleges being opened this year- a key youth demand addressed,sports projects under PMDP put on fast-track and funds provided for the development of sports infrastructure in educational institutions.
As far as administrative reforms, empowerment of people and strengthening of democratic institutions (Jamhooriyat) is concerned J&K is witnessing a new era under the President’s Rule. Grass root level democracy has been established in the state for the first time by holding panchayat and local bodies’ election successfully. These institutions had been financially empowered to address the issues of common masses at village and panchayat level. Through devolution of powers and participatory planning necessary teeth has been added to these grass root level institutions. The government’s assurance to hold elections to Block Development Councils (BDC) is a welcome step. In order to meet the aspirations of the people of Ladakh who always felt neglected by the elected governments, the SAC has empowered the two Hill Councils both administratively and financially. The hall mark being non-lapsable annual budget unspent portion of which could be carried forward to the next financial year.
Many structural and administrative reforms to make the administration responsive and accountable have also been launched. Anti-corruption measures include first ever Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) established to effectively tackle and eliminate corruption from public institutions, J&K Vigilance Commission Act-2011 amended to make it more vibrant and effective and Prevention of Corruption Act amended to give it more teeth.
The war on corruption unleashed through the action taken by ACB against the top level management of J&K Bank, which had become a den of corruption, favouritism and nepotism has sent a wave of unprecedented joy among the public across the state. The administration has very successfully conveyed the message that the corrupt, however mighty he/she be, will not be spared.
The administration has also addressed the vital issue of concern that is unemployment. Many reforms have been introduced to make recruitments transparent and speedy, cutting down red tape as well as interviews. 42211 posts have been generated for employment. Employees’ welfare has been taken care of by hiking remuneration of Anganwari Workers, substantial hike announced in honorarium of SPOs – morale booster for 32000 SPOs, ex-gratia for Next of Kin of slain Police personnel has been substantially hiked and Government will bear education cost up to 12th class of 2 children. Addressing the aspirations of the youth in the State still remains a big challenge for the Government.
In addition to reach to the last man in the line many measures for social inclusion as well as relief, rehabilitation and welfare measures have been instituted by the Government. The largest ever public outreach programme has been launched through the innovative idea of “Back to Village”. This ambitious programme has generated hope among the villagers that with the administration coming to their door step, their development needs will be addressed. Hope the unprecedented success of this programme will encourage the Government to launch a similar programme for towns and urban areas.
There is a sense of hope and relief prevailing among the masses in the state. The process of winning hearts and minds through good governance has begun in right earnest. People are hopeful that peace will be achieved through development provided the Government does not relent in its zero tolerance policy against the terrorists and those who form part of the terror support network and terror funding.
(The author is a Jammu based political commentator, columnist, security and strategic analyst.)
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