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| Delhi’s new regime to recast J&K course | | |
NIRBHAY JAMMUAL
Now that the new Government in the centre is likely to be functional within next one fortnight, the nature of the Government will have far reaching consequences on the political and security scenario n the troubled Jammu and Kashmir state.
The formation of the new Government may have a three-fold impact on the people of Jammu and Kashmir. First, if the new Government resumed talks with Pakistan on the settlement of major bilateral problems it can motivate the separatists and militants to remain on the defensive. If the new Government in the centre also resumes the dialogue with Kashmiri separatists, especially the leaders of All Party Hurriyat Conference, it may usher in new hopes for peace in Kashmir. Secondly, the attitude of the new central Government towards the financial requirement of Jammu and Kashmir can have a major impact on the economy of this border state. During the last five years the Congress led UPA Government had remained liberal as far as devolution of funds to Jammu and Kashmir was concerned. The result of this heavy financial assistance could been evident on the ground had the state Government been able to utilise these funds. In certain sectors the utilisation was as poor as 10 per cent. In other sectors the state had to plead for extending the period of completion of some schemes. This tardy utilisation of the central funds was criticised by the opposition parties but the Government had no reasonable answer for satisfying the critics.
These critics would ask the PDP-Congress coalition Government to explain where the Prime Minister's special package of Rs.24000 crores had been spent. Again there was no specific reply to this question. If the state Government fully utilised the central financial aid it was in the power sector. The state needs central assistance in purchasing additional power from the central grid to reduce the power curtailment period. Even if the 2008 Assembly election gave a fractured mandate it is the duty of the NC-Congress ruling coalition to secure more funds from the centre so that development works, which either were not taken in hand or were suspended because of financial crunch, were completed within next five years. The state is faced with severe problem of unemployment. The potential for providing gainful employment to all the two lakh unemployed youth is very limited in the different Government departments.
No doubt the Government has identified several thousand vacancies which it plans to fill shortly there are a number of Government departments which are over staffed. Besides helping the state for resolving the problem of unemployment the centre could suggest to the Defence Ministry and the union Home Ministry for reserving at least 10 per cent posts in the Armed forces and the paramilitary forces for the educated youth from Jammu and Kashmir. It was during the time Mufti Mohammad Sayeed headed the Government that he had succeeded in motivating the Defemce Ministry for holding special recruitment drive for the Army, Navy and the Air Force. It was he who was instrumental in making the centre agree on raising seven Army battalions in Jammu and Kashmir.
People do wish for seeing the problem of unemployment, poverty, electricity and water scarcity to end but equally they are praying for peace to return to the state so that Jammu and Kashmir witnessed bumper tourist and pilgrims traffic. This can be possible if the new Government in the centre engaged Pakistan and the separatists in a fruitful dialogue. Delhi should be able to convince Islamabad that let the status quo be maintained and allow improved travel and trade between the two sides. Experts are of the opinion that a dose of greater autonomy could be experimented for diverting the attention of Azadi seekers. No doubt the new Government in the centre has to support zero tolerance against human rights violations it cannot afford to be complacent. There is need for tough measures to be taken against those who try to destabilize peace.
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