Unlikely alliance turning Jammu & Kashmir's hopes into reality

When the People's Democratic Party (PDP) joined hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to form the coalition government in J&K in March, 2015, the then chief minister, late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, summed up the coming together of the ideologically opposite parties as 'North Pole meeting the South Pole'. The critics dismissed the alliance as opportunistic and fragile, and predicted its fall sooner than later.

Two-and-a-half years on, however, the Green and the Saffron continue to tango in the restive state, without any major divisive issue .

The AoA

"Nobody thought we will survive for three years. It has happened. There has been no major issue between the PDP and the BJP. Action has started on most points mentioned in the Agenda of Alliance (AOA), " says Dr Haseeb A Drabu, J&K Minister for Finance and the architect of AOA.

Setting aside their political ideologies, the two divergent parties agreed on AOA, a governance mantra, to run the coalition for six years. The two parties not only managed the alliance very well, but have also been able to give a new direction to the development process.

Dark clouds of uncertainty hovered over the alliance when Mufti Mohammad Sayeed passed away in 2016. A political vacuum was created and the state was placed under the Governor's rule. Then Mehbooba Mufti decided to take the plunge and become the first woman chief minister of the state.

Mehbooba's journey, however, was not smooth. A five-month separatist-sponsored agitation, following the killing of Hizbul Mujhadeen (HM) leader Burhan Wani on July 8, last year, sent the state into turmoil. Yet, she braved it all and silenced her critics by her perseverance and the governance mantra.

Projects galore

Now, for the first time, the state has enough funds, and believe it or not, is facing the unique question of how to utilise this money. Unprecedented road network, bridges, hospitals, schools — the state is on a high of development agenda. The Rs 80,000 Prime Minister Developmental Package (PMDP) has made this difference.

Under the PMDP, 63 projects have been taken up by 15 Union ministries through 39 executing agencies. Of these, nearly 80 per cent of the projects stand formally sanctioned. Of the total outlay, Rs 21,988 crore has been released under the package and five projects have already been completed. As many as seven projects are likely to be completed soon.

Of the works in progress, 22 major road projects in the state include some big-ticket plans, such as semi-ring road projects for Srinagar and Jammu, Kargil-Zanaskar road, and the Udhampur-Ramban and Ramban-Banihal stretches of the National Highway, which are in various stages of completion.

Impetus for higher education

The IIM in Jammu has started functioning from its transit accommodation, with an off campus at Narkara in Budgam. Similarly, the Jammu IIT has also started functioning and the process of raising infrastructure for the two institutes has also been started. Besides, under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), the detailed project reports of 56 out of 59 projects have been approved, and 27 of them have been started.

Under the Himayat programme, a target of training more than one lakh youths in the coming five years has been fixed. Similarly, indoor stadium are being constructed at 10 district headquarters.

Connectivity goals

Among the 11 projects to be taken up for execution include some ambitious ones, such as the Rs 5,100 crore Jammu-Akhnoor-Poonch road project, the Rs 1,800 crore Srinagar-Shopian-Qazigund road project, Rs 2,700 crore, 105 km connectivity project for various tourist destinations, and the Zojila tunnel project.

"Under the present dispensation, the state has received substantial funding from the Centre. With an expansion in the existing road network, the state is witnessing notable growth and development in different spheres," said Sham Lal Choudhary, J&K Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control.

Health is wealth

As per the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), the mother and child health indicators in the state have improved in 2016-17, and are relatively better than the national average. This has been possible due to effective monitoring and dedicated efforts by the staff at various levels.       

Besides, five new medical colleges with 90 per cent funding by the Central government are coming up in the state within the next two years. The move will not only improve the overall health scenario in the state, but will also add 500 more medical seats, thereby generating employment for hundreds of technocrats. These colleges will be established at Anantnag, Baramulla, Kathua, Rajouri, and Doda, at a cost of Rs 189 crore each.

To strengthen the health services, the government of India has also sanctioned two AIIMS for Jammu and Kashmir, for which the process of acquisition of land and other necessary formalities have begun. The estimated cost of each institution has been worked out to be Rs 2,000 crore, with an intake capacity of 100 seats. These two prestigious institutions will not only cater to patients from J&K, but also from the neighbouring states, such as Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and other parts of the country.

For the benefit of cancer patients, the government of India has sanctioned two state-level cancer institutes, to be constructed at a cost of Rs 120 crore each.

Off the weathered road

J&K has also emerged as one of the few states to have gone into an overdrive to create massive assets under the MNERGA scheme. Shunning the tradition of constructing lanes and drains, the Rural Development Department has effectively switched over to asset creation and numerous structures of public importance have been created.

During the last fiscal, 875 foot bridges, 1,023 culverts, 20,699 link roads, 2,247 ponds, 1,362 check dams, 2,680 gabion structures, 1,201 water harvesting tanks, 10 fisheries ponds, and 26 Anganwadi centers were constructed, and 2,659 traditional water bodies were renovated.

Moreover, 227 play fields were developed, 245 panchayat ghars and 7,074 IHHLs were constructed, 788 livelihood support works (goat shelter, cattle shelter, composite pits etc.), 7,585 micro irrigation works and 977 de-sliting works were completed under the MGNREGA during 2015-16.

Similarly, during 2016-17, as many as 11.70 lakh job cards were issued, 312.68 lakh man-days were generated under MGNREGA, and 446 foot bridges, 381 culverts, 8,713 link roads, 29 check dams, 319 gabion structures, 3,140 water harvesting tanks, and 175 ponds were constructed, while 1,334 traditional water bodies were renovated.

Besides, 96 play fields were developed, 4 fisheries ponds, 14 Aganwadi centers, 170 Panchayats ghars, and 1,552 IHHLs were constructed under MGNREGA, while 109 livelihood support works (goat shelter, cattle Shelter, composite pits etc.), 2,706 micro irrigation works, and 253 de-silting works were completed.

"The social security and the basic facilities for the poor, besides good governance, are the priorities of the government, for which a vigorous campaign has been launched throughout the state," said Ajay Nanda, J&K Minister of State for Finance and Planning.

Cherry on the cake

In the last two-and-a-half years, J&K has added many firsts to its credit. It has emerged as the first state in the country to change the budget classification, the first state to move to January budget to allow people to spend more, the first state to have announced abolition of treasuries, and the first state to move to the new system of pay-in accounts.

But, the highlight of this coalition government has been the appointment of Special Representative, Dineshwar Sharma, by the Centre to initiate dialogue with all stake holders in J&K. The talks with all stakeholders was high on AoA and with the appointment of Sharma, the government says that this clause has been fulfilled.

"The appointment of former Intelligence Bureau chief Dineshwar Sharma as the special representative reflected what the Prime Minister had said on Independence Day — "neither 'goli' (bullets) nor 'gaali' (abuses) can solve the Kashmir issue and it can only be addressed by embracing Kashmiris," said Naeem Akhtar, J&K Minister for Public Works and official spokesperson of the state government.

CHALLENGES

1. Bringing separatists to the table: The Joint Resistance Leadership, an amalgam of Hurriyat hawk Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Moderate Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik, has ruled out talks with the Centre’s interlocutor, Dineshwar Sharma, terming it an “exercise in futility”. The Mehbooba government has to work hard to convince the separatist leadership for talks, in order to bring lasting peace to the troubled state.
    
2. Bringing down violence level and curbing stone pelting: Nearly 172 militants have been killed in the renewed offensive against militants this year. But, it has come at a cost of 70 security men, who laid down their lives in the line of duty. Still, there are 225-230 militants operating in the Valley.
    
3. Restoring faith and instilling confidence among tourists: 2016 and 2017 have been the worst years, as far as tourist footfall is concerned. 2018 poses a challenge, as tourist operators are looking up to the government to help the sector.
    
4. Holding Panchayat and Parliamentary elections for the Anantnang seat: With militants and separatists calling for boycott, coupled with high level of violence, the elections are proving to be a headache for the Mehbooba government. Though there is no word from the Election Commission (EC) on the polls, which were postponed on May 2, J&K Governor NN Vohra has promulgated an ordinance, clearing the decks for holding the polls in the winter of 2017-18.
    
5. Preventing radicalisation of youth and channelling their energy towards constructive projects: Youth are especially vulnerable of being exploited by radical elements to become extremists. The Mehbooba government’s biggest challenge is to stave off the youth from falling into the trap of militants and extremists.

ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE ALLIANCE

1. The Rs 80,000-crore Prime Minister Development Package: It was the biggest package ever given by the Centre to the state. From a cash-strapped state, J&K became cash-rich state and the developmental process received a much needed fillip after 27 years of militancy. Roads, bridges, schools, colleges, hospitals, and institutions of excellence came as a bonus.
    
2. Appointment of interlocutor: Talks were at the heart of the AOA between the PDP and the BJP. By appointing former Intelligence Bureau chief Dineshwar Sharma as an interlocutor, the government has silenced its critics. Sharma, whose order has been issued by the President, has already kicked off his Mission Kashmir and met several delegations in the state.
    
3. Smart Cities: With the persistent persuasion of the state government, the Centre has included both capitals, Srinagar and Jammu, in the list of Smart Cities. The state has already constituted two committees — the State Level Advisory Committee and Special Purposes Vehicles — for implementation of the Smart City Development Projects under the ‘Smart City Mission’.
    
4. Two AIIMS: To strengthen the health services, the Government of India has sanctioned two AIIMS for Jammu and Kashmir. The estimated cost of each institution has been worked out at Rs 2,000 crore, with an intake capacity of 100 seats. The prestigious institutions will not only cater to the needs of patients of the state, but also to those from the neighbouring states, such as Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and other parts of the country.
    
5. India’s longest road tunnel: Nashri tunnel is yet another feather in the cap of the J&K government. An engineering marvel, the 9-km tunnel located on the strategic Srinagar-Jammu National Highway was dedicated to the nation by PM Narendra Modi on April 2. Built at a cost of Rs 3,720 crore, the Nashri road tunnel has cut down the distance between Jammu and Srinagar cities by nearly 30 km.
    
6. MGNREGA projects: In an unprecedented decision, the J&K government has effectively started creating assets instead of just constructing lanes and drains under MGNREGA. Numerous structures of public importance have been created under the scheme, along with jobs. During the last fiscal, 875 foot-bridges, 1,023 culverts, 20,699 link roads, 2,247 ponds, 1,362 check dams, 2,680 Gabion structures/allied works, 1,201 water harvesting tanks/structures, 10 fisheries ponds, and 26 Anganwadi centres were constructed.
    
7. Waiving 50% Kisan Credit Card Loans: The Kisan Credit Card (KCC) has emerged as an innovative credit delivery mechanism to meet the production credit requirements of farmers in a timely and hassle-free manner. The State Finance Department has released Rs 241.186 crore to the J&K Bank (SLBC Convener) for waiving 50 per cent of KCC loans, in favour of farmers, whose accounts were standard on August 31, 2014 and the outstanding was less than Rs 1 lakh on March 31, 2015.
    
8. Reviving the powers of J&K Legislature: For the first time, the Presidential order on GST was put before the Legislative Assembly for discussions. The Presidential order on the GST was discussed and later implemented, after getting the sense of the House.
    
9. Health sector: As per the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), mother and child health indicators in the state improved during the year 2016-17 and are relatively better than the national average. This has been possible due to effective monitoring and dedicated efforts by the staff at various levels.
    
10. Medical colleges: Five new medical colleges with 90 per cent funding by the Central government are coming up in the state. The timeline for completion of these projects has been fixed as two years. The move will improve the overall health scenario in the state and add 500 more medical seats, thereby generating employment for hundreds of technocrats. These colleges will be established at Anantnag, Baramulla, Kathua, Rajouri, and Doda at Rs 189 crore each.