Ajit Koul
When propaganda is entrenched deep the destructive things seem to be not just okay but a boon for society, the same was the case with Article 370. It was not just anti-women but also promoted casteism and discrimination on all levels. On 5 August 2019, the will of the nation got rid of this demon through the temple of democracy the Parliament. Jammu and Kashmir thus got rid of historical baggage that had kept it backward and underdeveloped in all the spheres.
TOURISM SECTOR
Since the abrogation of article 370 the tourism sector one of the pillars of Kashmir’s economy has seen record growth, with the tourist arrivals of both domestic and foreign tourists breaking decades-old records. This has happened despite the fact that soon after the abrogation of article 370 the ragging and catastrophic pandemic Coronavirus hit the entire world.
HEALTH AND EDUCATION SECTOR
Jammu and Kashmir have seen path-breaking development in the basic spheres of life such as the all-important education and health sectors. The government schools of Jammu and Kashmir are back on a healthy track, with record enrollment being witnessed after the abrogation of article 370. The facts on the ground speak for themselves.
Reflecting the improvement in education standards of Government schools, student enrolment in government-run schools has increased by more than 19.02 percent in the ongoing academic year in Kashmir.
In recent years especially after the abrogation of article 370, School Education Department has recorded an unprecedented thrust, particularly in the elementary segment. The Samagra Shiksha has come as a boon, unleashing a series of initiatives seeking universal enrolment and retention, reduction of social, regional, and gender gaps, mainstreaming of children with special needs, and promotion of quality parameters. The health sector of Jammu and Kashmir gave one of the best responses to the pandemic Coronavirus.
INFRASTRUCTURE
After the abrogation of article 370 Jammu and Kashmir have made remarkable strides in the development of medical infrastructure.
Jammu and Kashmir Government has been since abrogation making remarkable strides in the development of medical infrastructure with the sole objective of providing world-class medical care facilities to the people here.
GOOD GOVERNANCE
Since the abrogation of article 370 the Jammu and Kashmir people have been witness to the fruits of grassroots governance in form of strong Panchayats and Municipal bodies. The concept of Panchayats is to take the governance to the grassroots and it is making desired progress in ensuring good governance in the rural areas Municipal bodies are proving a boon for the urban areas.
Also, grassroots democracy has been strengthened after the abrogation of article 370 as in Jammu and Kashmir with the historic holding of the District Development Council (DDC) elections, which were overdue for decades, and were given top priority.
POWER SECTOR
Jammu and Kashmir after abrogation have made historical progress in all important power sector and also achieved not just ground progress but many positive reforms.
Recently, Jammu and Kashmir received a reward worth Rs 100 crore from the Government of India for achieving the target of 100 percent electrification ahead of the timeline.
Pertinently, the Union Territory had achieved another milestone under Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana ‘Saubhagya’ with J&K accomplishing the 100 percent target of rural electrification too before the deadline.
CONSERVATION
After the abrogation of article 370 thrust is also on the progress and preservation of water resources. The Government has embarked on the mega developmental plan on Asia’s largest lake Wullar lake as it is envisaging a non-motorable walkway, which will be developed around Wular lake which will add scenic beauty to the water body and help in preventing encroachment.
CURBS ON VIOLENCE
Important to mention violent incidents are also on the decline after abrogation. Data provided by the home ministry shows that terror-related incidents have reduced drastically since the revocation of Article 370.
In a written reply in Rajya Sabha, the home ministry recently said that compared to 2019, the number of terrorist incidents has reduced by 59% in 2020. The incidents reduced by a further 32% till June 2021 compared to the corresponding period in 2020.
Jammu and Kashmir is also fetching unprecedented and large investments from countries of the world especially the middle east economic gains like UAE after the abrogation of article 370.
Overall, after the abrogation of article 370 Jammu and Kashmir has seen development in all the major sectors of life and the economy.
