It is to be expected that as many as 16000 developmental projects in Jammu and Kashmir will be completed this year. This was revealed by the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman after presenting a budget of Rs 1,08,621 in the Parliament for J&K on Wednesday.
According to the Union Finance ministry during 2018-19 financial years 8106 projects were completed and during the 2019-20, 10500 projects were completed under the fast track development in the newly carved out Union Territory.
Frankly speaking, on ground the real action is missing. The roads across the Kashmir valley are in shambles, drainage in Srinagar city is choked, needless to talk about the other towns. Transport services are in mess. Prior to Article 370 abrogation, the people of Jammu and Kashmir were promised stars but the pace of development so far seems people are forced to settle down on dust. The youth is desperate seeking employment opportunities.
On the other side, the costs are escalating especially of construction materials. No investment has yet come over to the UT. If there is any activity seen on ground that is postings and transfers of officers-that too at times sans the logic.
In the August 2021, two years will be completed when the Union Government directly took control of Jammu and Kashmir followed by massive constitutional changes and splitting it into two Union Territories. As the changes of August 5, 2019 were unique in its nature, so must be the follow up now. The UT cannot be treated normally unless the things are back on track. It requires fast track infrastructural development. Not only the two major links by rail and National Highway that connects Kashmir with the rest of country needed to be completed now, however, the internal road connectivity for the economic activities deserves attention.
The power outage literally wracks havoc to the economy of Kashmir must be regulated. The outage in winters is showing its worst face and in summers too electricity remains irregular in most parts of the valley. In such a situation it is unlikely to attract any investment from outside. The companies willing to invest in the UT won’t agree unless they are provided proper connectivity and facilities to set up their businesses. A massive developmental dose is required with huge central funding to lift the UT from existing developmental chaos. Meager statements and statistics won’t work. Naya Kashmir slogan is just a slogan yet and can only fetch political mileage for the regime of the day. If the slogan has to be shaped into reality a lot more needs to be done.
