| Politicians talk Tokyo, bureaucrats London in JK | | Tussle impedes State's development | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Dec 27: The political set up and bureaucracy in Jammu and Kashmir are working in two different directions-a unique but interesting phenomenon- that has impeded the economic development in the State and has been a major cause for poor infrastructural development.
A latest survey by a group of individuals from various walks of life has attributed the slow growth of the State to the sharp clash of interests between the political setup and the bureaucracy which, according to the group, has not only impeded the development in the State but has reversed the pace at times.
Survey identifies lack of coordination between the political establishment and the bureaucracy as the most important factor responsible for economic backwardness of the State.
The survey, has discussed in length the cohesiveness of bureaucracy and political setup in Gujarat, Kerala, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka which has played a pivotal role in economic and infrastructural development in those States. According to the survey, the State of Jammu and Kashmir, however, is the only State in the Indian Union where political setup and bureaucracy are diametrically opposite to each other.
The survey discusses in length the role of bureaucracy at the policy making level pointing out that the bureaucratic hurdles never allow the political decisions trickle down to the lower level.
It merits a mention here that the slow growth of the Jammu and Kashmir State until recent past was attributed to various factors like low productivity in agriculture and allied sectors, poor industrial infrastructure, lack of sound fiscal management and of course lack of good governance, however, the group has of late identified a very interesting contributory factor to the slow growth in the State.
Reports released from time to time by the Planning Commission about Jammu and Kashmir, Working Group on Economic Development headed by C Rangarajan and various other reports have attributed the slow growth of the State of Jammu and Kashmir to various factors.
The climate of armed militancy in Kashmir during the past two decades has been a major factor. Lack of good governance and sound fiscal management has also been responsible for the poor economic growth of the State. The reports also suggest the State has been lagging behind most of the States in regard to the growth of Net State Domestic Product (NSDP) at current prices. The average annual growth of Net State Domestic Product at current prices during 1980-81 to 1999-2000 was 12.45 per cent for Jammu and Kashmir against 15.01 per cent, 14.28 per cent, 13.83 per cent and 14.3 per cent for Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, West Bengal and Kerala respectively. In the case of the growth of Per Capita Net State Domestic Product at current prices also, the State of Jammu and Kashmir was lagging behind most Indian States. The average annual growth of Per Capita Net State Domestic Product at current prices during1980-2000 was estimated as 9.63 per cent for Jammu and Kashmir against 12.9 percent, 11.63 per cent, 11.63 per cent, and 12.86 per cent for Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, West Bengal and Kerala respectively. However, almost all the reports failed in identifying the interesting but unique contributory factor to the poor economic development of Jammu and Kashmir.
Meanwhile, the Information Technology (IT) sector, which has revolutionized India continues to remain missing from Jammu and Kashmir.
This has not only added to the unemployment issues but has also forced thousands of youth to leave home for IT related jobs elsewhere.
"The absence of an IT industry is a major void in our society," said Nazir Ahmad from the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
He said the industry could not only augment the State economy, which is mostly supported by tourism, but would also generate employment. Besides IT parks and industries, J&K lags behind in IT education as well. |
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