One year of positive developments in Jammu and Kashmir- Interview with Ambassador of India Mr. B.Vanlalvawna

It has been one year since the Government of India decided to reorganise the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir. Can you please tell us what was the reason behind the Government's decision?

It was on the 5th August 2019 that the Government of India decided to reorganise the State of Jammu and Kashmir into the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir(J&K) and Ladakh. This was done with the sole intention of improving good governance and to deliver all round socio-economic developments to the people of the two union territories. One year hence, the various efforts undertaken by the Government have made substantial positive changes to the lives of the people in the region.

Can you tell us some of the most significant changes that have taken place in the last one year?

I would say that one of the most significant changes brought in by the legislation was to completely integrate the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of India. By this, I mean all the laws which were applicable in other parts of India which were meant to protect and promote social, economic and political rights of under-privileged sections including women and children have become applicable to the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir(J&K). This has not only empowered women and children in the Union Territory but it has also brought about transparency and accountability in Governance, which have benefited the whole population. In fact, over 100 Acts of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir have been changed to bring them relevant to contemporary and modern times. During this period, the Government has also undertaken a very unique and unprecedented outreach programme wherein 36 Union Ministers have visited over 50 locations of J& K and inaugurated 200 projects in the last one year.

Can you specify how children and women have benefitted from the changes?

Like I said before, the changes have enabled all laws of the Centre to be applied to the Union Territory of J&K. With specific to children, the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2009 has been applied in J & K for the last one year.This means that children of J&K have been assured education till the age of 14. The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 has also become application to the UT of J& K. For women, the extension of the Protection

of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 to J&K has empowered women and protected them from exploitation and harm.

You also talked about political rights. What do you mean by this?

For the first time, elections to Block Development Councils, which is Tier-II of what we call Panchayati Raj (Local Self-Government), were held on 24 October 2019. The election witnessed voters turn out of over 98% and women were elected in the seats reserved for them and this has enabled them to play a role in mainstream politics. The functions and finances of the Panchayats have also been strengthened in the last one year. This includes the transfer of over US $ 200 million to the Panchayats in the last one year.

How has the reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir benefitted the development of the rural villages?

The government has also introduced a participatory programme in November 2019 called 'back to village' programme. Through this programme, the Government officers visited every Panchayat and spent two days and a night to discuss various developmental programmes. It also collected feedback from the people in the villages through this process. As a result, over 20,000 developmental works which are necessary to be undertaken have been identified by the people, out of which 7000 have already been executed. The first e-National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) platform of J& K was also inaugurated recently.

What about developments in other areas of economic activities?

Jammu and Kashmir produces high quality apples. To promote its marketing, a unique market intervention scheme for Kashmiri apples was introduced. This entails procurement of apples from 5 designated locations operated by the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India. Through this programme, 15000 MTs of apples worth around US $ 10 million have been directly procured from the growers until January 2020 and the money obtained was paid to the apple growers through direct benefit transfer. To promote Kashmiri saffron, India International Kashmir Saffron Trading Center has been constructed at Pampore under National Saffron Mission and this center will facilitate collection, processing, packaging and e-Auction of Kashmir saffron.

To encourage investment from all over the world, Jammu and Kashmir organised the first pre-Summit meet of Global Investors Summit in New Delhi in January

2020. During this, 14 focus sectors to boost manufacturing and employment generation were promoted. Investment roadshows have also been organised across Indian cities which has resulted in signing of MoUs worth over US $ 1.8 billion.

You spoke about employment generation in J & K. What are the steps taken in this regard including in the field of education?

Firstly, to provide employment to the youth, the J& K Government has already advertised 10,000 post for accelerated recruitment at all levels in the first phase and plan for additional 25,000 more jobs in the future. To boost employment opportunities and encourage entrepreneurship among the technically qualified youth, two IT parks have been planned to be set up. Twelve start ups have been selected for product research , development and marketing. The government has also established 50 new educational institutions with 25000 vacancies which is the largest addition in 70 years. A new health infrastructure worth US $ 1 billion which include 2 new All India Institute for Medical Science, 7 new medical colleges, 5 new nursing colleges and a state cancer institute is being planned. Further, 1400 medical/paramedical seats have been added for medical education. Additionally, there has been a four-fold increase in the number of students from Kashmir with 500,000 students availing different scholarship schemes of the Government in the last one year. The Government will also provide two month internship to 500 students of J& K in premier institutions like Indian Institutes of Technology and Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research. It has also accorded sanction to establishment of two Centers for Invention, Innovation, Incubation & Training in J& K.

What about the steps taken to accelerate infrastructure developments in J & K?

Projects under the Prime Minister's Development Package have been accelerated and 17 projects under this package have been completed or nearing completion. Under the Jammu and Kashmir Infrastructure Development Finance Corporation, over 500 projects worth over US $ 80 million have been completed and over 2000 projects worth around US $ 800 million have been sanctioned. 190 projects at the cost of over US $ 930 million have been planned for developing Jammu and Srinagar into smart and sustainable cities. Light Rail Transit Systems in the two capitals with a cost of over US $ 1.3 billion have also been approved.

What actions have been taken by the government towards providing assistance particularly those who are economically disadvantaged?

In the past one year, 200,000 houses for slum development and rehabilitation have been approved. Additionally, for the first time in 70 years, 300,000 households have been provided access to electricity for the first time and 293,000 household water connections. 800,000 student health cards for school children have been issued. The first phase of One Nation One Ration Card Scheme to provide eligible beneficiaries their entitled food grains under the National Food Security Act has been launched.

How has the government engaged the youth of J & K in the field of sports during the past one year?

The first ever "Khelo India Winter Games" were held in Gulmarg in March 2020 which saw participation of over 900 athletes from different parts of India. Besides this, different sports activities in J & K during the year saw participation of over 500,000 youth and 126,000 youth received coaching. The Government is also planning to construct indoor sports complex in every district, playground in every Panchayat and international facility in Jammu and Srinagar.

COVID-19 has affected different parts of the world including parts of India as well. What has been the response of J&K on the COVID-19 pandemic?

J & K is one of the best performing states/ UT in India with almost 4 times more testing rate as compared to the average in India. It was one of the first among the State/UT to set up COVID-19 hospitals and it presently has 17 dedicated hospitals with 60,000 new beds including 20,000 ICU beds and 2500 isolation beds with oxygen facilities. Srinagar was among 16 districts selected in India for best practices to tackle COVID-19. The Government has sanctioned US $ 47 million as a relief package to help those adversely affected and has also assisted in return of 250,000 residents of J& K who were stranded across the country and abroad.