Neha
JAMMU, Feb 6: No one can question the people of Rajouri and Poonch districts when they say that their areas are neglected and underdeveloped. Besides, all right thinking people will endorse the accusation that they make against the successive Kashmiri-dominated and Valley centric successive governments that they never got their legitimate due in the democratic and economic process of the state.
But the friends and well-wishers of Jammu province cannot support their demand for the creation of hill development council for these two districts on the pattern of autonomous hill development councils in Ladakh. The reason is that the establishment of hill development council for Rajouri and Poonch districts would mean a substantial step towards the disintegration of Jammu province.
Yesterday, certain elements held a rally at Parade Park Ponch, and demanded hill development council for these two districts, saying such a step would ensure speedy development of the hilly and economically backward districts. "The government should consider the nature of terrain, size and accessibility of the area, which is inhabited by both Paharis and Gujjars...The Rajouri-Poonch region may become a hub of tourism in Jammu province. It has the potential to attract religious tourists round the year as it is blessed with Shri Budha Amarnath, Sain Mira Sahib Ziarat, Nangali Sahib and Chote Shah. However, it lags behind in the development sector as compared to other districts of the state," some of the protagonists of hill development council said while addressing the rally.
The arguments that they put forth in support of their demand were valid and appreciable, but the method that they advocated to achieve development of the districts was highly questionable. Indeed, it was dangerous, as it helps the votaries of Greater Kashmir comprising the virtually one-community inhabited Kashmir Valley and the areas in Jammu province and Ladakh region where the Muslims are omewhat
numerous. They need to consider their demand in their own interest and in the larger interest of Jammu province. Their grouse against the state government cannot be dismissed as silly and preposterous. Their grouse is well-founded. But, it the same time, they cannot ignore the indifferent attitude of the local ministers, lawmakers, including MLAs and MLCs, and the concerned MP, all members of the district development boards, towards the problems they talked about.
Yes, the successive governments in the state have ignored these two districts, but they have not spared the remaining districts of the province as well. They have ignored the entire province for reasons which are too well-known. But the real culprits are the local lawmakers and ministers. Had they played the required role in the Jammu & Kashmir Cabinet, Council of Ministers, Legislative Assembly, Legislative Council, Parliament and district development boards and not danced to the tunes of the Kashmiri ruling elite to protect and advance further their own interests, the situation in these two districts, or for that matter in the entire Jammu province, would have been altogether different. They need to recognize this important fact and proceed accordingly. The point is that it is the local lawmakers who are more responsible for the neglect of Poonch and Rajouri districts. |
