As J&K leaps into the next year, the challenge remains to build on the positive momentum of 2023 and shape a future that reflects AND REALISES the aspirations and resilience of J&K
At the threshold of last moments of the year 2023,for the first time in the last few years in Jammu and Kashmir, New Year celebrations were held in Srinagar’s Lal Chowk area, where people in large numbers gathered at Lal Chowk to welcome the New Year and rewinding back for Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), the year 2023 stands out because of several landmarks achieved despite serious security-related challenges. This year saw the Supreme Court of India unanimously upholding abrogation of Article 370 that had provided special status to the erstwhile state. During 2023, the Parliament unanimously passed the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023 making them laws.
The first of these laws increased the total number of assembly seats from 107 to 114, with reservation of nine seats for Scheduled Tribes (a first), besides empowering the Lieutenant-Governor to effect some nominations. The second law replaces the term “weak and underprivileged classes (social castes)” in the J&K Reservation Act, 2004, enacted by the state legislature, to “Other Backward Classes” as declared by the UT.
These laws have paved the way for both the Centre and the UT administration to restore civilian democratic processes and statehood, step-by-step after years, which is a welcome step that has finally ended decades of self-serving political and administrative neglect that gave a wide berth for terrorists and militants to thrive. Consequently, J&K in general and the Kashmir Valley in particular, are now experiencing peace, normalcy, socio-economic stability and development without disruption.
In addition, about 890 Central laws have been applied in the J&K and Ladakh regions while over 200 archaic State laws have been repealed while hundreds of discriminatory laws have been modified to benefit Kashmiris.
Tourism
2023 proved to be a good year for J&K tourism, with a record arrival of over 20 million tourists (as on December 7, 2023). Last year, tourist arrivals were pegged at around 19 million. Tourism contributes somewhere around 7.3 percent of J&K’s GSDP and provides around 2.2 million jobs directly and indirectly.
An important step taken was to promote border tourism with the help of the Indian Army and the UT tourism department. As many as 75 offbeat destinations were identified for tourism development to mark 75 years of India’s independence. Areas selected included Bhaderwah, Doodhpathri, Yousmarg, Verinag, Lolab, Bangus, Basholi, Poonch, Rajouri, Doda, Kishtwar, Bhaderwah, etc. Pilgrim tourism was another area that received more attention as well. Bollywood keeps the date with Kashmir with big banners making beeline.
Today sports in J&K are taking a new stride and youth making J&K and the nation proud in different sports disciplines both at National and International levels
Infrastructure Development
During 2022-2023, nearly 252 projects and development works are being completed per day. The number of infrastructural projects completed during a financial year has risen from 9,229 in 2018 to over 92,560 in 2022-23, with approximately the same capital expenditure.
Data reveals that over Rs.1.50 lac crores has been allotted for new road construction across J&K. Healthcare is now a priority. J&K today has two All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), seven new medical colleges, two state-run cancer institutes, 3,000 health and wellness centres and several nursing colleges. A universal health insurance for all families under the PMJAY-SEHAT Scheme has also been introduced.
The Indian Railways is speeding up rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of India. So far, railway lines have been operationalised between Jammu-Udhampur-Katra in Jammu region, and Baramulla-Banihal in the Kashmir Valley. It includes the construction of the world’s tallest railway bridge across the Chenab River.
Work on Asia’s longest tunnel at Zojila is in progress and once completed, this technological and engineering marvel in an extremely challenging terrain will ensure all-weather connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh. So far, more than 35 percent of the work on the main tunnel has been completed and this project is expected to be completed by 2026. The UT has witnessed tax revenue growth of 31 percent since mid-2019. In Fiscal 2022-23, J&K’s GSDP grew at eight percent at constant prices, as against seven percent at the national level.
G-20
The other significant landmark achieved by J&K was to host the epochal Third G20 Tourism Working Group (TWG) meeting in Srinagar in May this year. It was historical in the context of organising a global-scale event in a region that not too long ago was riven with violence, unrest, instability and unfathomable economic distress.
G-20 delegates, about 60 in number, spent three eventful days (May 22-24) deliberating on the next steps for promotion of tourism and hospitality globally, taking a tour of Srinagar’s business district and interacting with civil society to get a first-hand account on the changing scenario in J&K.
Holding the TWG meet in Srinagar helped delegates to get an intimate insight into Kashmir Valley’s unexplored tourism potential. It also provided delegates with an excellent opportunity to evaluate ground realities and helped dispel apprehensions and negative images created by motivated propaganda and disinformation.
The G-20 opened new vistas and gave hope for the future, besides sounding the death knell of anti-Kashmir narratives and attendant violence. It was unobtrusively a people’s event, showcasing the best of Kashmiri traditions, food, art, craft, and excellent hospitality.
Both film tourism and handicrafts were identified as niche areas for future exploration and regional economic growth. Needless to say, the tourism sector, which is this region’s largest industry, got the much needed boost because of the TWG meeting and this has gone a long way in restoring the livelihood of thousands of locals. Delegates were greatly impressed by “Naya (New) Kashmir and left with fond memories of its timeless natural beauty.
The subsequent facelift of the Ghanta Ghar and enhancements of the Jhelum Bund walkway reflected positive outcomes.
However, the year was marred by the persistent delay in conducting essential elections, raising concerns about the democratic process.
The postponement of legislative assembly polls, along with urban local body and panchayat elections, contributed to political uncertainty in J&K.
Projection
While Kashmir is still not out of the woods as far as terrorism is concerned, locals have realised that development and progress is contingent on peace and as such public support for terrorist violence as well as protests and shutdowns called for by separatist groups is fast waning. Hence while it may take some more time for complete normalcy to return, the one thing certain is that the people of Kashmir will not endorse disruptions in routine public activity fuelled by vested interests.
The events of 2023 serve as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle against terrorism and the unwavering dedication required to ensure the safety and security of the populace.In this complex landscape, the challenge remains to build on the positive momentum of 2023 and shape a future that reflects the aspirations and resilience of J&K.
