The Legitimate Darbar
On January 5, the major decision of union government of revoking Article 370 and 35 A completed five months. The life in the two newly carved out Union territories from erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state seems to be heading for normal. But there is no headway on promises that New Delhi made to the people of erstwhile state bringing huge developmental packages and decentralizing powers to the grassroots, needless to mention the successful conducting of two tier Panchayat elections.
As it is understood the transition of powers normally takes time that may be evident in the two UT’s, the plans however, are yet to be exposed by Delhi, how the region is taken out of morass. There is a halt on developmental works, bureaucracy is unwilling or disinterest to work.
There are no people in the power corridors who could listen the grievances of common people and address them. One might get confused while looking at pictures published in newspapers every day morning showing bureaucrats and advisors giving ear to the general masses, but the effectiveness of these Darbars could be gauged on ground after talking to common man.
There is a need to reach out and look beyond Darbars. This sustaining process of ineffective Darbars over the last several years is gradually losing its sheen and impression. The thousands of lockers laden with grievances in civil secretariat from the nook and cranny of erstwhile state are enough to act upon and begin with for a fresh progressive inning in UT.
Commitments of development have been made in past but action was missing. In last one year, the state administration organized the mega “back to village” events in the state and reached out to more than 4000 villages. The officials heard the grievances and assured the people of their redressal. But what happened after that nobody knows. As the winters are in, the disruptive power supply in most parts of the valley have incurred huge pain to the social and economic life of people.
The ditched roads, muddy tracks are the reality of today in valley. During snow and rainfall, people encounter with hardships but that hardly get any attention of the “powerful secretariat”. Jammu Kashmir did not lose only the special constitutional privileges on August 5 but Union government downsized it to a Union Territory with limited powers. New Delhi justified the decision on the grounds that a Kashmir based coterie with the help of some people in Delhi had made erstwhile state as its colony.
The allegations of corruption rampage in J&K was factually correct and it was even more credential that a selective lobby was beneficiary while exploiting the political situation. Now these assertions could only lend credibility when New Delhi changes the things for better. But when the process will start, there is no idea. Despite normal life kicking back in the region with people gradually adopting the new political realities, Home Ministry in Delhi is reluctant to move a step forward.
It needs immediately to clear its position on domicile demand set forth by the people in all the regions, irrespective of their political faiths. The perpetual confusion over the matter has terribly locked the minds of people in fear of losing jobs and land. Similarly the internet shutdown that also completes five months in valley must be restored to critical sectors like corporate and media fraternity which faces immense hardships.
The bureaucracy who appears to be more fearless post August 5 decision needs to hold accountable and meritorious officers must assume significant positions. At the same time the officials who in past have drenched their hands in corruption must be taken to task and necessary action under law be taken. This could set the trend for new beginning that is more promising, progressive and hopeful for the generations to come.
