The Second anniversary of the revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir is being celebrated on August 5,2021. The central government have made special measures to empower various sections of people in Kashmir since post article 370.
Farmers: The central government has approved a nearly Rs. 6,000 crores for multi-purpose projects in Feb 2020 to provide uninterrupted water supply for irrigation in Kathua district, Jammu and Kashmir and to produce power.
The government has introduced an array of insurances schemes including the Atal Pension Yojana in the newly carved Union Territory. The Centre has launched 85 people-oriented development schemes, like PM-KISAN, PM-KISAN-Pension, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana and Stand-Up India in Jammu and Kashmir.
Youth: The Government has taken special initiative on the youth and launched scheme named “Mission youth”, with this initiative it will be benefit for 50,000 youths from different streams. The intention behind this is to train youth for developing their own skills to start their own enterprises.
Over 10,000 vacancies at all the levels have been identified for recruitment in various departments in the first phase. Notably, the administrative council has approved a simple and efficient procedure for filling up of class IV vacancies.
Kashmiri Pandits : Over 3,000 government jobs created for the Kashmiri migrants at an outlay of Rs. 1,080 crores. As per the information provided by the Government of Jammu & Kashmir, the selection process has been concluded in respect of 1781 posts and 604 candidates have joined in different departments as on 22nd February 2020. These jobs are in addition to the 3000 state government jobs approved under the Prime Minister’s package-2008, against which 2,905 jobs have been filled.
Migrants in Kashmir: Construction of 6,000 transit accommodations at an outlay of Rs. 920 crores for accommodating 3000 Kashmiri migrants employed under PMRP- 2008 and for 3000 additional migrants under PMDP-2015. 849 flats have already been constructed. The Centre also reimburses monthly cash relief to the eligible Kashmiri migrants settled in Jammu. Since the year 2014, the monthly cash relief has been enhanced twice i.e. from Rs. 6600/- per family to Rs. 10,000/- per family in 2015 and to Rs. 13,000/- per family in 2018. In addition, the dry ration is also provided to these Kashmiri migrants.
Horticulture and Handicrafts: Horticulture provides livelihood to 30 lakh people directly and indirectly in Kashmir. Handicrafts industry employs more than 2.5 lakh artisans. Most of these artisans lost their jobs as the lockdown disrupted access to raw material and exports.
In the carpet belt of Pattan and Sumbal in Baramulla district, thousands of carpet weavers closed their looms and took to menial labour to earn a living. Presently, most artisans couldn’t sell their stocks due to Covid-19 pandemic.
Educational Institutes: The central government has granted a package of Rs. 80,000 crores for development works in Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory. It will include the revival of the schemes pending for decades. The package would help establish the educational institutions like IIT, IIM and AIIMS. New release of funds will also help in the development of road transport, energy and irrigation schemes.
Reservation: The Union Territory administration has decided to provide reservation to Pahari-speaking people (four percent) and economically weaker sections (10 percent). So far, reservation was available only to people living in villages on the Line of Control, but it has been extended to those living on the international border, benefiting nearly 70,000 families.
More than three lakh Jammu and Kashmir government employees are now getting benefits under the 7th Central Pay Commission.
Domicile certificate issued: Over 4 lakh people in Jammu and Kashmir have been issued domicile certificates (official document to prove that a person is a resident of a particular state/Union Territory). A total of 3,68,500 domicile certificates were issued in Jammu and 79,300 in Kashmir Valley.
Nearly 3.7 lakh persons granted domicile certificates are already permanent residents of the Union Territory. A significant proportion has been given out to those who despite living or serving in the state for years were not considered the residents of the state due to the provisions of Article 35A, which now stands repealed.
Terrorist Elimination: Incidents of violence have reduced significantly in Kashmir valley after revocation of article 370 and security forces have achieved major success against terrorists, which also noted that terror-related activities have reduced by around 36% in the valley after the abrogation of Article 370.
Less youth joining in militancy: There has been a 40% decrease of involvement of local youth in terrorist organizations as only 67 youths of Kashmir valley were brainwashed and made to pick up guns against India.
