epilogue magazine, september 2009
TRANSCRIPT
Epilogueb e c a u s e t h e r e i s m o r e t o k n o w
Jammu and Kashmir’s Monthly Magazine
NowTellingThe J&K Stories
RNI : JKENG/2007/26070 ISSN 0974-5653
Jammu, September 1, 2009 / Vol 3 / Issue 9 || Price Rs. 30 || Postal Registration No. JK-350/2009-11 || www.epilogue.in
UNDERSTANDINGJ&K ECONOMYUNDERSTANDINGJ&K ECONOMY
BUDGET2009-10BUDGET2009-10
THROUGHTHROUGH
INTERVIEW
ABDUL RAHIM RATHERFinance Minister
Jammu V/s Kashmir
A Year AfterAMARNATH LAND ROW
Interview : Leela Karan Sharma
Politics Behind Central University
“Yes, I am in Isolation”
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B R I D G I N G T H E I N F O R M A T I O N D I V I D E
F O R T H E M O N T H O F S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 9
Taking J&K Closer to WorldBringing World Closer to J&K
Epilogueb e c a u s e t h e r e i s m o r e t o k n o w
33Volume : 3, Number : 9
ISSN : 0974-5653
RNI : JKENG/2007/26070
www.epilogue.in
For being a zone of conflict, the politics of
Jammu and Kashmir is a well reported subject
but little has been written on the economy.
Taking advantage of the state's annual budget
and economic survey, the present issue
discusses the economic profile of Jammu and
Kashmir. An essential guide for beginners and
experts alike. A recall of J&K's Amarnath land
row agitation of 2008 also makes an
interesting reading
AR
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call
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97
97
59
93
65
Mar. 2009
Apr. 2009
May 2009
June 2009
July 2009
August 2009
CONNECTING J&K
onnectivity is a major issue in J&K and people in many areas taunt the Cgovernment saying that roads were laid in remote areas only because they close to borders. Our March issue looked at the connectivity via roads, rail and air to bring to the fore the missing links.
TREADING FAILURE
s world watches keenly the new unfolding developments in Pakistan, our AConsulting Editor D Suba Chandran travelled to the troubled country to bring fresh perspectives for our readers in April Issue.
J&K MOVING FORWARD
ay issue was one of the rare collections of ideas where 12 natives from Mboth sides of Jammu and Kashmir poured their ideas out of the heart on how boundaries can be blurred and relations can be strengthened.
LOK SABHA POLLS 2009
ith Prof Rekha Chowdhary looking into various aspects, the May issue Woffered a complete view of the Lok Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir. An interview with Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather explained most critical questions on the state's economy
THE FUTURE OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR
uly 2009 issue offered a rare insight into the whole gamut of Kashmir Jissue. An ACDIS, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign sponsored study, which was the cover feature, examined Kashmir issue from different perspectives.
UNFOLDING THE LAND OF MOON
ugust 2009 issue was one of the path-breaking in the life of Epilogue Amagazine. The cover story explored many aspects of life in Ladakh and carried a first hand of research on the state of media in the Himalayan cold desert.
Epilogueb e c a u s e t h e r e i s m o r e t o k n o w
www.epilogue.in
Editor Zafar Iqbal Choudhary
PublisherYogesh Pandoh
Consulting EditorD. Suba Chandran
Associate EditorsIrm Amin BaigTsewang Rigzin
General ManagerKartavya Pandoh
ManagerAdarsh Rattan Bali (Marketing & Advertisement)
Art EditorKeshav Sharma
Research OfficerRaman Sharma
Phones & emailOffice : +91 191 2493136subscriptions : +91 99060 27136Editorial: +91 94191 80762Administration: +91 94191 82518 [email protected]@epilogue.in
Printed and Published by Yogesh Pandoh for Epilogue NewsCraft from Ibadat House, Madrasa Lane, Near Graveyard, Bathindi Top, Jammu, J&K - 180012 and Printed at : DEE DEE Reprographix, 3 Aikta Ashram, New Rehari Jammu (J&K)
Disputes, if any, subject to jurisdiction of courts and competitive tribunals in Jammu only.
RNI : JKENJ/2007/26070ISN : 00974-5653Price : Rs 30
CONTENTS
In Verbatim 6
Prologue 7
Letters 8
Note Book
7 Essential Entries 9
Jammu V/s Kashmir
Jammu & Kashmir 44
A Year After Amarnath Land RowEpilogue Correspondent
Recalling ‘Gandhi of Jammu’ 46
Opinion 50
Needed Soul Searching Life
After Sangarsh 2008Kapil Sharma
Kashmir’s Democratic Catharsis 51Riyaz Wani
Game is lost for now as 55
‘Divided we always fall’Zafar Choudhary
Opinion 58
CUAS and the Stillborn WannablesAnmol Sharma
Features
Changpa Tribe’s Identity, 61
Way of Live Under ThreatTashi Morup
The Fur Traders and 63
The Lost AvenuesBinish Gulzar & Syed Rakshanda Suman
Column
Kashmir Ki Kali... 65
bruished and shatteredManisha Sobhrajani
History of Forts in Jammu Hills 67Prof. Jigar Mohammad
IN FOCUSBudget 2009-10
Opinion 15Ensure Taxpayers’ Money Goes toProgramme that WorkBilal Hussain
Budget 2009-1017Ten Challenges19New Taxes40Interview42‘There are no quick fixes; we areworking on a workable employment policy’Abdul Rahim Rather
Epilogue Ø 5 × September 2009
Volume 3, Issue 9, September 2009
Epilogue Ø 6 × September 2009
H&RAEH E A R
Who Said What
“Where is the angry young man…he has not been seen in the House (Legislative Assembly) for last 12 days”
Panthers Party leader Harsh Dev asks Speaker about prolonged absence of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah from the assembly which was session across August
“You can check the past records also…Chief Ministers don't sit in the Assembly for whole day…I have to attend other important government business outside Assembly”
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah responding to opposition criticism on his prolonged absence from Assembly as he returns to House after 14 days
“She is continuously indulging in contempt of the House. She thinks that assembly is a room of her home and she can dictate any terms”
Legislative Assembly Speaker Mohammad Akbar Lone on opposition PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti
“There have two elections in Jammu and Kashmir since I addressed you on last Independence Day. The first one was for state Legislative Assembly and second for Lok Sabha. Peoples of all areas of state have participated vigorously in these elections. This is a proof that there is no space for separatist thought in Jammu and Kashmir”
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in his Independence Day address to the nation from ramparts of Red Fort in New Delhi on Aug 15
“Whom was (Justice) Muzaffar Jan (the Commissioner of Inquiry who probed Shopian rape and murder case) seeking to please and whose purpose did he try to serve? Never in the annals of commissions of inquiry such irrelevant and disgraceful remarks been made. Even a magistrate knows that rape is rape even if the victims be of mad moral”
Constitutional expert and celebrated columnist AG Noorani in his column in Frontline Magazine
L
From the EditorRP O O G U E
were ever made to harness the hydro- state like Jammu and electric potential. Only less than 10% K a s h m i r w i t h v a s t of the total potential has so far been farmland, rich biodiversity, exploited allowing the electricity mineral reserves and water A import bill to become biggest culprit resources should ideally be of state's financial disorder. Between the exporter of food grains, vegetables, 2006 and 2008, the Finance Ministers mutton, poultry and milk products, conceived an innovative way of minerals and electricity. The scenario, separating the power budget from however, is contradictory. Take small state's general annual budget in a bid examples: A state like Jammu and to paint rosy picture of finances. The Kashmir with no sound industrial base annual budget for the year 2009-10 or corporate sector is expected to be a presented by the Finance Minister major producer of agriculture, Abdul Rahim Rather in Legislative horticulture and animal husbandry A s semb ly on Augus t 10 ha s , products owing to agrarian character incidentally, done some justice to the of its economy. Official statistics people of Jammu and Kashmir by reveal that annual mutton import bill putting things across as they exist. The alone stand around Rs 1300 Crores. In government needs to take some big Finance Minister, in his budget speech, case of food grains the gap between leaps by going full throttle in clearly reflected the loopholes in demand and supply is nearly of the harness ing the hydro-e lectr ic management of our economy and order of 40 per cent. While there is a potential and making state self talked freely about the weaknesses huge cry across the state for sufficient on food grain production. which he proposed to plug in. after phenomenal shortage of milk and its Far more than the monetary explaining the spending proposals, products, state has to import nearly investment both these sectors need an when the Finance Minister came to one crore eggs to meet its annual investment of vision and long term some revenue mobilization areas, the demand of three crores. There is self policy. We have long been arguing in measures were again ad hoc and sufficiency in none. J&K is producer of these columns that economic temporary to have some order of good quality of fresh fruits, mainly empowerment of Jammu and Kashmir semblance for the time being. Some apple, pear and apricot but domestic can be a viable solution to many fresh taxes were imposed on daily use demand is met only after importing conflicts, if not all. Therefore, along products like petrol, diesel, liquor, fruits around four times higher in w i t h p o l i t i c a l m e a s u r e s t h e mutton and poultry etc to mobilize quantity than the local produce. government must think pure business as some additional revenue of some 69 Another sector which should have well. crores. These small step measures are made Jammu and Kashmir rich enough not going to bring any turnaround in to take care of weak areas is a Feedback :state's economic outlook. The [email protected] sad story. No honest efforts
Invest some vision
Zafar Choudhary
Epilogue Ø 7 × September 2009
FEBRUARY 2008
T
Readers WriteL E T E R S
Dear Editor the few places in the world being No words can be too high to appreciate completely blacked out by the media is the Rinchen Domla's work (Epilogue, also not out of place. In India, the August 2009) on state of print media in television channels and newspapers Dear Editor Ladakh. The argument made in the have become an essential part of the We have been hearing and reading editorial that Ladakh is perhaps one of daily life of an ordinary Indian. Given about Charkha Development and
the present media scenario in country, Communication Network's work in it is really difficult to imagine life in Kashmir and Ladakh. While greeting place like Ladakh, which your editorial Epilogue and Charkha for the marvelous has described in many ways. In your work (Epilogue, August 2009) on prologue, we see a commitment of Ladakh, I take this opportunity to make serving the people of Ladakh through a humble complaint to the both. Why Epilogue and I am sure you live by most of the media activities and commitment even in the face of research works are confined in adverse circumstances. Keep it up! Kashmir Valley and Ladakh alone.
Does anyone know why Rajouri MANOJ KHATTAR
district has lowest literacy rate in Department of Civics
Jammu and Kashmir, why banks don't Bombay University, Mumbai offer loan to the
local entrepreneurs,
why local traditional
forms of art and craft
are being completely
s h u n n e d b y t h e
artisans, why tribal
population has been
forced to abandon its
culture, why tourists
don't come to this
area? There are many
questions like these
and many hopes that
NGOs and media will
someday offer some
answers as we have
failed to get answers
from the government
SHAHZAD KHANRajouri
Move beyond Kashmir, Ladakh also
Epilogue Ø 8 × September 2009
Leh Town is not LadakhDear Editor, After reading the August issue with keen interest, I must
tell you that your title (Unfolding the Land of Moon) was
quite misrepresentative is not fully misleading. The focus
(Ladakh asks) too was out of place. The point here I want
to make is that media has a wrong notion of understanding Ladakh with Leh district headquarters. This
is completely wrong and often appears hurting to many in Kargil. Ladakh comprises of two districts of
Leh and Kargil. Go the place like Nubra (in Leh) and Zanskar (in Kargil) to explore real Ladakh and
understand hardships people face there. I would again say that your work on the state of media
(Epilogue, August 2009) is also completely restricted to Leh district headquarters which is well
connected by air with Srinagar, Jammu, Chandigarh and Delhi. There is no question of doubting your
intentions but what I mean to suggest you is that there is a need to think beyond Leh township while
talking about Ladakh. GHULAM ALI
Kargil
EDITOR REPLIES: We deeply appreciate the point raised by you and are well aware of the various contours of
geographical, political and ethnic identities of Ladakh. As your read our introduction of August
issue, we have clearly said that this is a small beginning and in the coming months we intend to do
more work in Ladakh. Since Epilogue is not a large organization to move or have stationed its
editorial staff in a place like Kargil, our coverage of ground realities in remote areas like yours
mainly depends on the local input and quality of research work. While thanking you for your
feedback, we invite you to contribute your efforts in telling the untold stories of the 'real Ladakh'
as you put.
Life Without Media, Unimaginable
N O T E B O O K
7 Essential Stories
Epilogue Ø 9 × September 2009
referring to a plea for shifting Dukhtran-e-Millat chief Syeda Asia Andrabi from Jammu to Srinagar jail. The Supreme Court refused to entertain the petition filed by Jammu and Kashmir government regarding the shifting of Andrabi.
The state government had come in appeal against the state High Court order quashing its decision not to shift the founder chairperson of separatist organisation Dukhtaran-e-Milat (daughters of faith) from Jammu to Srinagar jail. Andrabi has been pressing for her shifting from Jammu to Srinagar jail so that she can meet her children. Her husband is already in jail in a murder case.
A bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justice P Sathasivam yesterday dismissed the appeal of the state government and rejected the contention of senior counsel Amrindar Saran that a large number of militants are lodged in Srinagar jail and if she has been shifted to Srinagar jail she may have access to the jailed militants and may resume her anti-national activities.
The judges asked the counsel, ''Is the state government fter twice being directed by the State High Court to scared of a woman?'' The state government has also failed to Ashift a woman separatist leader from a Jammu jail to provide data regarding the number of woman prisoners
Srinagar, the state government got a reprimand from the presently lodged in Srinagar jail and also regarding the Apex court of the country: “Is the state government scared capacity of Srinagar jail for woman prisoners, the court of a woman” the Judges of Supreme Court asked while observed.
Pakistan, Holbrooke said Islamabad needed more nited States Special Envoy for Pakistan and U help to overcome its problems, but highlighted that Afghanistan, Richard Holbrooke, who was on a such decisions cannot be taken independently by visit to Pakistan, said on August 20 that his visit has the US president.nothing to do with the Indo-Pak problem, and that
he is not in Pakistan to negotiate on the Kashmir “Pakistan should remember one thing that the
issue. In an interview to a private President of the United States cannot take
television channel, Holbrooke said it decisions himself, but we can make the request to
was upto India and Pakistan to the Congress,” the Online news network quoted
resolve the issue bilaterally. “Any Holbrooke, as saying. Terming the energy crisis in
improvement in Pak-India relations Pakistan as that country's biggest problem,
is also good for the world,” Holbrooke said America is ready to in this regard,
Holbrooke said. but Islamabad should try to fix the 'tremendous
amount of leakage' that exists in the whole In response to a question, Holbrooke system. “US would help in this regard but the government and said he had never blamed the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) people of Pakistan have to take lead,” he said. for helping the Taliban. When enquired about US assistance to
DIPLOMACY
Not negotiating Kashmir: Holbrooke
SEPARATIST LEADER'S INCARCERATION
Apex Court asks J&K Govt: Are you scared of a woman?
Epilogue Ø 10 × September 2009
ven though the rights groups have sharply Edisputed the figures but the J&K government
has told State Legislative Assembly that an
estimated 3400 persons have been missing in
custody or otherwise since the outbreak of
armed insurgency in 1989. The human
rights groups working in Kashmir,
particularly the Association of the
Parents of Disappeared Persons, have
disputed government's figures and said
that not less than 8000 persons were
missing.
Official figures released in the
State Assembly said 3,429 persons
had disappeared between 1990 and
July 2009, with only 110 persons
missing after arrest by the security
forces. Leading local and international
rights groups have suggested over 8,000
people have disappeared in the region,
with the majority having been arrested by
Indian security forces.
The government, which gave no
further detail about the missing people,
also ruled-out forming a commission of
inquiry to probe all the cases of
disappearances, a statement released
in the assembly said.
In 2007, a local group, the
Association of Parents of Disappeared
People, said it had found 940 "nameless
graves" in 18 villages in Uri district, which
neighbours the Pakistan-administered zone
of Kashmir. Amnesty International has
urged the government to determine if any
of the graves contain the bodies of those
listed as missing by local
rights groups. Indian security
officials contend many of the
missing had crossed over to
Pakistan to join the insurgents
and say the graves are those
of "unidentified" rebels killed
in action.
LOST IN TURMOIL
Govt says only 3400 persons missing, rights groups put figures twice that
N O T E B O O K7 Essential Stories
Epilogue Ø 11 × September 2009
on board in the process of finding a solution to the Kashmiri problem. Mufti disputed Prime Minister's interpretation of the massive participation of the Kashmiris in the lately held elections and claimed that a durable and lasting solution to the Kashmir problem could be found by involving the alienated sections into a atron of the mainstream Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),
dialogue process and strengthening their belief in the PMufti Mohammad Sayeed, as also most of the Valley's country's democratic processes and institutions. He asserted separatist political parties---including both factions of the that the separatist leaders had an important role to play.Hurriyat Conference, JLKF and Jamaat-e-Islami---have
Mufti emphasized on demilitarization and withdrawal of strongly disputed Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh's latest J&K Armed Forces Special Powers as also PDP's exclusive interpretation of the massive participation of the Kashmiris in concept of constituting a “Joint Council” of the Legislatures of recently held Assembly and Lok Sabha elections and claimed Indian-controlled Jammu & Kashmir and the Pakistani-that the democratic process had not marginalized the controlled Jammu & Kashmir.Officiating Chairman of Hurriyat separatist politics.Conference (Mirwaiz), Prof Abdul Gani Bhat, found it In sharp contrast to the tone and tenure of Chief Minister surprising that such a statement had been made by Dr Omar Abdullah's Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who had repeatedly asserted in the Manmohan Singh had asserted in his ceremonial address at Red Parliament that the solution to the Kashmir problem lay in a Fort in New Delhi yesterday that the reality of massive dialogue process with an all-inclusive involvement and participation of the Kashmiris in Assembly as well as participation. “We are the masters of the state and we alone Parliamentary elections in recent past had left “no space for will determine its fate”, Prof Gani said in a statement.the separatist politics in Jammu & Kashmir”. Contrary to a
Spokesman of Syed Ali Shah Geelani's faction of the many speculations---including the one of an offer of ceasefire Hurriyat, Ayaz Akbar, said that Manmohan Singh had only with the militants in the holy month of Ramzan---head of the destroyed his own image of a mature and responsible political Congress-led UPA Government did not only ignore the Kashmiri leader by making a bellicose assertion and wrong separatists but also gave them an unprecedented affront. interpretation of the elections. He said that Prime Minister of Making a mockery of the J&K Chief Minister's olive branch India had “like his predecessors” spoken the “language of to the separatists, Prime Minister said in rather an Advanian power” and thus harmed India's image in the world of style that participation of large number of Kashmiris in the diplomacy and statesmanship. According to him, Dr Singh had Assembly and Lok Sabha elections had left no room for the “abused the Kashmiris” by taunting them as being separatist politics in the state. It was significantly different “separatists”. from Dr Singh's speeches in the last over five years as he had
Identical statements of resistance poured in from Jammu repeatedly stated that his UPA Government believed in talking & Kashmir Liberation Front, Jamaat-e-Islami, Jamiat-e-Ahli to all sections of opinion, including the separatists. He had Hadith and Democratic Freedom Party.invariably suggested the Kashmiri separatists would be taken
SEPARATIST SPACE
PM's I-Day speech trigger debate in Kashmir
There have been two elections in Jammu & Kashmir since I addressed you on the last Independence Day. The first one was for the State Legislative Assembly and the second for the Lok Sabha. People of all areas of the State have participated vigorously in both the elections. This is a proof that there is no place for separatist thought in Jammu & Kashmir.
N O T E B O O K7 Essential Stories
Epilogue Ø 12 × September 2009
n recent months the demand of repeal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act has seen a complete Idecentralization –traveling from political headquarters. However, the political leadership is still locked in a quagmire and they are making the issue more of a battle of one-upmanship between ruling National Conference and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party.
Witnessing the discussion over the issue in Legislative Assembly recently, it clearly looked like a battle for political survival between the two key players in Kashmir.
Concluding his exhaustive reply to the discussion on the grants sought for his departments, Law Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar dismissed PDP's campaign for withdrawal of AFSPA as “deceitful politics” and claimed that Mufti Mohammad Sayeed's party had never taken an initiative during six-year-long PDP-Congress coalition regime in 2002-08 for revoking the special powers granted to security forces in 1990. Even as Mehbooba Mufti confronted Sagar and blamed the NC Government for pioneering the imposition of Public Safety Act (PSA), Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA), Prevention of Terrorist Activities Act (POTA) as well as AFSPA in J&K, Sagar asserted that “misleading the people and Assembly with lies” was characteristic of the PDP.
Sagar fiercely retaliated to Ms Mufti's charge that Omar Abdullah-led coalition government had slapped the PSA on many people from a 14-year-old boy to 80-year-old separatist leader, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, and claimed that his government had used minimum possible force to restore peace in Kashmir valley in the last eight months. “You will have to accept Mehboobaji that it was none other than your father who got Jagmohan as Governor in 1990 and imposed AFSPA on Jammu & Kashmir”, Sagar shouted on the PDP chief. “When your father was Home Minister of India, he made it a point of his ego to bring Jagmohan as Governor, issued an Ordinance and got the legislation done in Parliament within six months”, Sagar referred to the embryonic days of Kashmir insurgency in 1990.
“Total number of militants in 1989 was just 72. Dr (Farooq Abdullah) Sahab got them all arrested and later set them free for rehabilitation. Today, most of the leaders in this country are referring to militants as our children. On using the same phrase, a country-wide campaign of hatred was triggered off against Dr Sahab. He refused to yield on Jagmohan's appointment and resigned in protest alongwith 29 Ministers and MLAs. We sacrificed our Government for the people of this state. Even an orderly remains stuck to his chair”, Sagar grumbled on Ms Mufti and reminded her that it was her father, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, and his protégé, Jagmohan, who had given special powers to armed forces in J&K in 1990.
“Did you take a single initiative for withdrawing AFSPA during the six years of your Government? Listen, Ms Mufti. I have checked all records and found that you people have never submitted a suggestion of revoking Armed Forces Special Powers Act to the Centre in the last six years of your Government. There has been not a single meeting on this subject for six years”, Sagar shouted on Mehbooba and her colleagues on the Opposition benches and claimed that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had made sincere efforts from day one of his government for withdrawing the special powers enjoyed by the armed forces in the state notified as “disturbed area” nearly 19 years back.
“We don't believe in politics of deceit and double standards”, he said and claimed that even the Indus Water Treaty of 1960 had been signed with Pakistan when Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was a leader in Congress party and the NC founder, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, was in jail. He said he was indebted to Mufti Sayeed who had publicly confirmed this reality and asked Ms Mufti to be correct on the facts.
As leader of the 21 MLA-strong PDP, Ms Mufti, kept on her protestation and Speaker continued asking her not to disrupt the Minister's reply, she led a walk-out of nearly a dozen of her MLAs while casting the aspersion of being prejudiced and partisan against Mr Lone. It enraged the Speaker who warned her against her assertions and contended that it was a “contempt to the House”. He directed Secretary Assembly, Mohammad Ramzan, to issue a notice of “contempt to the House” against Ms Mufti.
REPEALING AFSPA
Merely a battle between NC, PDP wing to a slow Opeace process
and a variety of other reasons militancy in Jammu and Kashmir has been on constant decline over the years but the trends are now fast changing. In the recent past there have been numerous incidents of infiltration of militants through Line of Control and International Border and a marked step up in violence in the interiors. Top intelligence officials in Jammu and Kashmir feel that a large number of militants were waiting to sneak in across the border even as warnings of a “disturbing” surge echoed far away from the troubled Valley. At a Conference of
ut of total O20,230 sq km of forest in Jammu and Kashmir, about 144 sq km is
Militancy /
Disturbing
DEPLETING
Forests
N O T E B O O K7 Essential Stories
Epilogue Ø 13 × September 2009
Chief Ministers on Internal Security in New Delhi on August 17, the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh remarked: “the levels of infiltration that had come down very substantially had seen a surge this year”. “The infiltrators are more battle-hardened, better equipped and in possession of sophisticated” communication systems, he said at the conference.
In Kashmir, top intelligence sources said hundreds of militants had gathered at 42 training camps across the Line of Control and were waiting to cross over. “We fear escalation of violence during Ramazan, which is just days away,” said an official.
The United Jihad Council (UJC), an umbrella body of 13 militant outfits based in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, has already ruled out a unilateral cease-fire in Jammu and Kashmir during the Muslim holy month. “If the Government of India takes a positive step in this direction, the UJC will sit and think over it,” UJC chairman and Hizb-ul Mujahideen supreme commander Syed Salahuddin told a local news agency on Saturday.
The infiltration alerts, from Delhi and Kashmir, have come at a time the LoC has seen a spurt in militant activity. Sources said there had been at least 13 infiltration bids in the Kashmir valley alone that left dozens of militants and several jawans dead. The Border Security Force on August 16 foiled a major attempt when a group of militants tried to cross a river flowing close to the international border in Jammu's Samba sector.
Defence spokesman Lt Colonel J.S. Brar said the security forces had strengthened the counter-infiltration mechanism on the LoC that had suffered damage during the winter because of snowfall. “That is why most of the militants are being gunned down near the LoC and they do not succeed in crossing into the hinterland,” he said.
But it is learnt from sources that many militants had already entered the Valley. “Around 195 militants have managed to infiltrate into the Valley in the past seven months against the 84 in the corresponding period last year. Some of them have been killed or arrested but most are active,” an official said. He said 370 militants were active in Kashmir and that more than 40 per cent of them were foreigners. “This is in addition to 70 unlisted militants (unidentified but accounted for),” he added.
Although militant violence has come down substantially over the years, officials said a year of unrest that began with the Amarnath land row had helped the rebels, who were now back in a position to carry out attacks with ease. “Our counter-insurgency grid has been disturbed as our focus has been to quell street protests. In the process, the militants have regrouped and consolidated their position,” an official said.
infiltration
Trends: 194 crossed over in 4 months
reported to be under illegal occupation. Officials said the 12,066 sq km of forest was in Jammu region while in Kashmir it was 8,128 sq kms. Ladakh region has just 36 sq km of forest.
In Jammu, about 95 sq km of forests are under encroachment, while in the Kashmir valley, it is about 49 sq km. It said encroachment on over 0.54 sq km has been removed in Jammu, while 18.65 sq km forest has been restored to department after evicting illegal occupations.
GREEN COVER
substantially under occupation
N O T E B O O K7 Essential Stories
DIP/J-2881
I N F O C U S
Budget 2009-10
Epilogue Ø 15 × September 2009
the budget in paying salary-bill of the interest payments and servicing of debt he budget 2009-10 estimates the state. At present the state has over 3.32 (budget estimate) compared to 2007-fiscal deficit for the current year T lakh employees on its rolls. On the main 08. For the fiscal 2008-09 J&K was at Rs 2081 crore. Looking back items of expenditure, the current year's expected to spend a sum of Rs 160,055 past year figures provide a grim picture non-plan salary provision is Rs 6,594 lakh (budgeted estimates) on interest for the state's fiscal position. The fiscal crore in comparison to Rs 4,973 crore of payments and servicing of debt, while deficit for the year 2006-07 (Pre-actual) past year. Additional provision of Rs 121 as in 2007-08 the state had actually [RE] was Rs 1509 crores, the same figure crore has been kept for salaries of spent a huge amount of Rs 203,236 lakh for 2007-08 was Rs 2666 crore and for migrant employees. (revised estimates) for the same. While the year 2008-09 (BE) it stood at Rs 2330
this year the present coalition govern-Power sector is another major con-crore.ment has kept the provision for pay-cern for J&K, wherein the state has To further worsen the state's fiscal ment of interest at Rs 1,729 crore in failed miserably in bringing deficit due position this year the government has comparison to last year's figure of Rs to it down. Previous government man-already reached an agreement with the 1,602 crore. There was an immediate aged a zero deficit budget by taking out employee representatives for the need to restructure the debt of the power bill and put it separately as implementation of 6th Pay Commission. state as it adversely affects the state 'power budget', which hardly helped the The move is expected to put further expenditure, and the current budget in state to bring down its electrical energy strain on the already scares resources of this regard has not done much.bill but could be termed as 'good win-state exchequer which would require Rs
dow dressing'. The state has already the Every day the state spends crores 4200 crore for meeting the expenses of gap between expenditure incurred on of rupees more than it receives in reve-the pay commission. Finance Minister purchase of electrical energy and reve- nue. Red ink is projected at Rs 1,729 (FM), Abdul Rahim Rather, too ascer-nue collected has nearly doubled from crore for this year alone. Not only for tains this by saying, “The state has Rs 767 crore during the year 2003-04 to the current budget cycle but for years fewer resources available at present Rs 1,406 crore during last year. to come, J&K must come to grips with and the financial position of the state
budget gaps and bring the present debt The interest payments and servic-has been meticulously presented before level to a sustainable level to expect ing of debt figures of J&K has gone up by the 13th Finance Commission. We are least.an alarming amount in the fiscal 2008-hopeful that very soon the state would
09. Rising interest costs and debt have Present government has put some be given adequate funds so that other cast a shadow on the financial health of Additional Resources Mobilization demands of the employees could be ful-the state. According to a report by the (ARM) in form of increasing taxes in cer-filled.”
tain sectors while leaving others. The Reserve Bank of India for the fiscal To mention for the fiscal 2008-09 current level of consumption of petrol 2008-09 J&K figures show an increase on the state spends about 60 per cent of
BILAL HUSSAIN
OPINION
Ensure Taxpayers' Money Goes to Programmes that Work
The state of Jammu and Kashmir is mired in fiscal problems that cannot be covered up with the usual state budget fixes. The state has entered an unprecedented epoch of permanent fiscal crisis that demands real leadership and decisive action, which unfortunately current budget to larger extent is not endowed with. Nothing less than the solvency of the state is at stake.
in J&K is over 14 crore litres. The Rs 1.60 crore annually.
increase of cess to Rs 3 per litre is From all the above raise of
likely to yield additional revenue of taxes none of the sector yields more
Rs 28 crore per annum and about Rs than Rs 50 crore. But the sectors left
18 crore in the current financial year. out by the state government that
takes away huge capital from the FM proposed an employment
state are exempted, what for? All cess of Rs 1 per litre on diesel. The
these tax raises has ultimately to current level of consumption of this
come from poor denizens of the commodity is about 46 crore litres
state. per annum. Therefore, the proposed
Why are sectors that make huge measure is likely to yield annual reve-
profits from the state are left out nue of Rs 46 crore per annum and
l ike telecom sector (mobile additional revenue of Rs 30 crore in
companies), which at current takes the current financial year.
away huge sum of Rs 1000 crore In case of liquor the rate of GST annually from the state, a tax rate of on liquor is currently 20%. FM pro-10% would earn Rs 100 crore for posed to increase the same to 25%. state. This sector hardly makes a As such, estimates of expected addi-mention in the current budget.tional revenue on this account are
Outside private banks that placed at Rs 21.50 crore per annum hardly manage the required credit and Rs.15 crore in the current finan-deposit ratio in the state, scarcely cial years.lend to priority sector, and even they Nearly 1.32 crore poultry table shy away in lending to productive birds are being brought from outside purposes (Business lending). Why the state annually. As adequate num-can't state think of putting penalties bers of day old chicks are not avail-in form huge sums, which again able within the state, the poultry could provide the state huge sums?rearing units are also importing
What about the insurance sec-around 2.38 crore day old chicks tor operational here why can state which are subjected to toll tax at Rs put some tax on them too who have a 1 per chick. FM proposed to exempt market base of over Rs 1500 crore in import of day old chicks from pay-the state.ment of toll tax and increase the
Why left the automobile sector, rate of toll tax on poultry birds from put heavy import duty on them too existing Rs 2 per bird to Rs 5 per kg. this also could prove a good annual The net additional revenue on this resource for state. And many other account is expected to be around Rs sectors wherein the state gets lesser 4 crore per annum which will be uti-benefits compared to outside states. lized for development of poultry sec-
As of now, I think it is time to tor within the state.reform government at all levels and Nearly 16 lakh sheep & goats make it more accountable. What we are being imported from outside the need is different approach to bud-state annually to meet the local mut-geting, turning from what we cut to ton requirement. FM proposed what we keep. In short, making sure enhancement of toll tax on sheep taxpayers' money goes to programs and goats from the existing rate of that work, that taxpayers can afford Rs 25 per head to Rs 35 per head. and people need.This may yield additional revenue of
Epilogue Ø 16 × September 2009
Every day the state spends crores
of rupees more than it receives in
revenue. Red ink is projected at
Rs 1,729 crore for this year
alone. Not only for the current
budget cycle but for years to
come, J&K must come to grips
with budget gaps and bring the
present debt level to a sustainable
level to expect least.
***********
J&K spends about 60 per cent of
the budget in paying salary-bill
of the state. At present the state
has over 3.32 lakh employees on
its rolls. On the main items of
expenditure, the current year's
non-plan salary provision is Rs
6,594 crore in comparison to Rs
4,973 crore of past year.
Additional provision of Rs 121
crore has been kept for salaries of
migrant employees
*********
The current level of consumption
of petrol in J&K is over 14 crore
litres. The increase of cess to Rs 3
per litre is likely to yield
additional revenue of Rs 28 crore
per annum and about Rs 18
crore in the current financial year
I N F O C U SBudget 2009-10
Epilogue Ø 17 × September 2009
reaking a six-year long precedence, the Finance Minister Abdul BRahim Rather
reflected in his budget proposals for 2009-10 the way things existed. His two predecessors between 2002 and 2008 –Muzaffar Hussain Baig and Tariq Hameed Qarra –brought in a unique concept of Zero Deficit Budget which would always come for severe criticism from Rather as leader of Opposition. As he returns to present ninth Budget of his career, Rather has clearly shown the deficit which, of course, is on declining trend. A vast majority across Jammu and Kashmir has largely given their word for Rather's budget but there are some exceptions also, particularly coming from industry and trade sector and also from millions of employment seekers. A reading into Rather's budget speech in the Legislative Assembly on August 10 gives a reflection of ideas that remained at the back of his mind since January 2009 when he took over as the Finance Minister and sought more time (state Budget is normally presented in the month of March) to touch upon the ground realities. Excerpts from the speech make it simple for everyone to understand as how rupee is coming and where is it going:
BUDGET 2009-10
Budget 2009-10I N F O C U S
Epilogue Ø 18 × September 2009
he state needed a liberal annual outlay to make up the erosions in
resource base. To the advantage of state, the Planning Commission have Tformulated a massive plan of action which may enable J&K to access
development expenditure upto Rs.10,000 crore under various programmes.
The State Plan outlay has been fixed at Rs.5500 crore in comparison to Rs.4500
crore of last year indicating a 22.22% jump in money terms. In real terms, the
increase is much more if the transfers made from plan to non-plan are taken
into account. The State plan outlay has been topped by a provision of Rs.1200
crore under PMRP. For the first time, the government have proposed the
highest ever allocation of Rs.643 crore to meet 100% requirements of the State
share for various centrally sponsored schemes which will enable the state to
access about Rs.1800 to 1900 crore of the central share. A sum of Rs.220 crore
provided under PMRP as counter part state share will enable us to raise
matching World Bank loans under Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA). The
flow of funds under various Central mega flagship schemes like JNNURM,
NRHM, NREGA, SSY, RGVY etc shall be over and above the figures mentioned
above. “What is more important”, says the Finance Minister “is the fact that
the resources for funding the state plan outlay, Centrally Sponsored Schemes
and other programmes have been fully tied up and thus the current year's plan
is fully funded”.
Fully Funded Plan
Growth Rate of GSDP at current prices was higher at 16.28% in 1996-97 as compared to 10.89% from 2002 onwards Growth rate of GSDP at constant prices was 20.93% in 1996-97 as compared to 5.64% from 2002 onwards
Year GSDP at current price GSDP at constant price
2001-02 Rs. 18039.35 crore Rs. 16530.81 crore
2007-08 Rs. 31793.04 crore Rs. 23060.48 crore
Annual Growth Rate 10.89% p.a 5.64% p.a.
1996-97 Rs. 9124.34 crore Rs. 7327.40 crore
2001-02 Rs. 18039.35 crore Rs. 16530.81 crore
Annual Growth Rate 16.28% p.a 20.93% p.a
thAt the beginning of 11 Five
Year Plan, the growth rate for
the current financial year 2009-
10 for the state was targeted at
8%. However, the growth rate
achieved during the first two th
financial years of 11 FYP
indicates that the stiff target of
8% for 2009-10 appears
difficult to be achieved. It is
expected that the state economy
will clock growth around 7% in
2009-10.
I N F O C U SBudget 2009-10
The rate of growth of During the 4-year
our GSDP and our per period given by the
capita income which Twelfth Finance
used to be ahead of all Commission, the
India average, six to government did not
eight years ago, have meet the FRBM targets
fallen behind and consistently by the prescribed dead line,
remained below the national which was 31 March 2009.
average afterwards. Therefore, we have been denied
debt relief estimated at Rs.473
crore recommended under the
Twelfth Finance Commission The gap between
Award. We also lost an amount of expenditure incurred on
Rs.229 crore as the government purchase of electrical
did not hold Panchayat elections. energy and revenue
Further, the revenue gap grants collected has nearly
for the current financial year doubled from Rs.767
available under the Award are crore during the year 2003-04 to
about Rs.100 crore lower than the Rs.1,406 crore during last year.
revenue gap grant received last
year.
The fiscal deficit
touched a high of Rs.
Plan revenue 2,666 crore, during the
expenditure of nearly year 2007-08.
Rs.1200 crore was
shifted to non-plan
during a three-year
period commencing In a normal situation we with 2006-07. For this purpose plan should have received resources were also transferred to Rs.200 to Rs.250 crore non-plan. These transfers now more in the current form part of the non-plan gap as year on account of our no additional resources were share in the central mobilized during these years taxes. It has been, instead reduced specifically to take care of this by about Rs.105 crore in the current additional burden. year due to economic slow down.
Epilogue Ø 19 × September 2009
TEN CHALLENGESAs seen by Finance Minister
1CHALLENGE
2CHALLENGE
3CHALLENGE
4CHALLENGE
5CHALLENGE
6CHALLENGE
ÄThe target growth rates set for the state's economy at the
thbeginning of the 11 FYP were 7% for 2007-08 and 7.5% for the year 2008-09. The growth rate for the state is increasing surely but slowly over the years and still lags behind the national level growth rate.
ÄThe Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) at factor cost works out for J&K to be Rs 24471.31 crores, indicative of a growth of 6.12% in 2008-09 as compared to the growth of 6.28% in 2007-08 (Advance estimates).
ÄThe Per Capita Income for the state during 2007-08 at constant (1999-00) prices works out to be Rs. 20604/- only as against the Per Capita Income of Rs 27442/- at all India level for the same period.
I N F O C U SBudget 2009-10
A huge amount of Rs.917 crore due for payment to National
Small Savings Fund (NSSF) on account of loans taken by the State
Government was not provided for in the relevant financial years.
The Government then borrowed from the market to clear the
liability. The burden of this additional borrowing has fallen on
the subsequent years including the current one.
Epilogue Ø 20 × September 2009
ÄDistrict Srinagar, Jammu and Kathua are among the top three ranked districts in terms of Gross Per Capita Income of Rs. 30052/-, Rs. 28712/- and Rs. 27696/- respectively whileas Kargil is the lowest ranked district with Rs. 11922/- precedted by Kupwara and Leh districts with Gross Per Capita Income of Rs. 16360/- and Rs. 20237/- respectively at Current Prices of 2005-06
ÄContribution of Primary Sectors, Secondary and tertiary sectors to the GSDP for 2008-09 (pre) has been 25.82%, 28.29% and 45.89% respectively while as at all India level, the contribution of these sectors to GDP was 20.55%, 24.71% and 54.74% respectively as per figures of 2006-07.
ÄThe Per Capita Plan expenditure during 2007-08 and 2008-09 works out to be Rs. 3613/- and Rs. 3815/- respectively as compared to the Per Capita Plan outlay of Rs. 3254/- at national level for 2007-08 (RE
7CHALLENGE
Sixth
Central Pay
Commission
report has
also fallen
in our way
in the current financial
year. The Government
has to bear an additional
burden of Rs.1067 crore
for the 8 months of the
current financial year on
account of increased
salaries and pension.
Funds received from various
Ministries in Government of
India under Centrally Sponsored
Schemes were not authorized in
time and got temporarily re-
appropriated towards meeting
non-development expenses. We have
identified, authorised and revalidated
about Rs.550 crore in the current financial
year to make up for the previous short falls
and thus restored our credibility before the
concerned Ministries. Obviously, it has
resulted into additional strain on our
current year's budgetary resources.
The three-year life of Power Reform Grant amounting to
Rs.1300 crore per annum given by the Centre to the
previous government came to an end on 31 March 2009.
No such grant is now available in the current financial
year.
The biggest challenge before Jammu and Kashmir is to boost the economic
activities to catch up with national growth rate and per capita income. There
is an urgent need to control large scale flight of capital for mass procurement
of a wide variety of consumption goods such as food grains, pulses, spices,
oils, mutton, poultry, eggs, processed food, clothing, energy, building
materials and other utility items. For this purpose, it is important to focus
energies and resources on increasing local production and thus expanding the
employment base by improving our productivity, profitability and
competitiveness. Therefore, the Finance Minister says, “we intend to adopt a
cluster approach in order to concentrate our resources on such clusters and
obtain quicker results. In all-important fields, private participation shall not
only be encouraged but also pro-actively promoted”.
Biggest Challenge
I N F O C U SBudget 2009-10
9CHALLENGE
8CHALLENGE
10C H A L L E N G E
n the current year's plan of Rs.5,500 crore, the Revenue expenditure is estimated at Rs.653 crore and capital expenditure at
Rs.4,847 crore. The government have decided to give special thrust to the Sectors of Agriculture & Allied Activity, Irrigation, ITransport, Social Services including Health & Education and General Services including World Bank funded development
programmes of ERA. The exact increases in various Sectors shall get crystallized after tie up with the concerned Ministries in the
Government of India in respect of Centrally Sponsored Schemes & with the funding agencies in case of tied up allocations. To that
extent, the increases reflected in the sectoral outlays are to be taken as tentative. The allocation for agriculture and allied
activities has been proposed about 30% higher from previous year's level of Rs.151.96 crore to Rs.197.30 crore in current year. The
allocation in the Irrigation and Flood Control Sector has been kept 122% higher from the last year's level of Rs.208.85 crore to
Rs.464.33 crore in the current year. The allocation in the Transport Sector is proposed to be tentatively enhanced by 90% from the
previous level of Rs.486.20 crore to Rs.923.99 crore in the current year. The allocation in the Social Services Sector is proposed to
be increased by 42.87% from the level of Rs.1089.17 crore to Rs.1556 crore. The General Services are proposed to get enhanced
allocation of Rs.638 crore representing an increase of 36.62% over the previous year's level of Rs.467 crore.
ÄThe current year's total receipts have been estimated at passengers are expected to reach Rs.316 crore in
Rs. 22,739 crore in comparison to last year's figure of comparison to Rs.297 crore of last year.
Rs.19,077 crore. In the current fiscal, Rs.19,462 crore ÄThe non-tax revenue has been estimated at Rs.1219 crore
are expected as revenue receipts and Rs.3,277 crore as as against the corresponding budgeted figure of Rs.1127
capital receipts. The current year's total revenue crore of last year.
expenditure is estimated at Rs.14,949 crore, indicating a ÄMarket borrowings for the current year have been kept at revenue-surplus of Rs.4,513 crore. The total capital Rs.818 crore in comparison to Rs.1264 crore of last year. expenditure is estimated at Rs.7,790 crore. The fiscal Institutional loans for funding capital expenditure and deficit is estimated to come down to Rs.2,081 crore share in National Small Savings have been assumed at representing 5.4% of our current year's estimated GSDP last year's levels of Rs.700 crore and Rs.453 crore in comparison to 6.9% of last year. respectively.
ÄThe total tax revenue of the State is estimated at ÄOn the main items of expenditure, the current year's non-Rs.3,111 crore for the current financial year as against plan salary provision is Rs.6,594 crore in comparison to Rs.2,693 crore of last year. The tax GSDP ratio is Rs.4,973 crore of last year. Additional provision of Rs.121 expected to improve to 11.2% in comparison to 11.0% of crore has been kept for salaries of migrant employees. The last year. The VAT collections are estimated at Rs.2,066 provision for payment of interest has been kept at crore as against Rs.1,853 crore of last year indicating an Rs.1,729 crore in comparison to last year's figure of increase of 15%. The State Excise is expected to yield Rs.1,602 crore. Provision for purchase of electrical energy Rs.260 crore in the current year as against the budgeted is Rs.1,996 crore. Rs.1,412 crore have been provided to figure of Rs.250 crore of last year. Taxes on goods and meet expenditure on pension and retirement benefits.
Epilogue Ø 21 × September 2009
Annual Plan
Broad Parameters
Growth Rate of Per Capita Income at constant prices during 1996-97to 2001-02 at 16.25% as compared to 3.95% from 2002 onwards
2001-02 Rs. 13784.00 crore
2007-08 Rs. 17590.00 crore
Growth Rate 3.95% p.a
1996-97 Rs. 6978.00 crore
2001-02 Rs. 13784.00 crore
Growth Rate 16.25% p.a
I N F O C U SBudget 2009-10
Kashmir has developed varieties of hough the Primary Sector's T wheat seed to suit such climate and contribution in the GSDP has introduced a new 'rice-wheat rotation' slipped down to 26%, its importance technique. For the forthcoming Rabi cannot be over-emphasized as it season, the government shall focus on sustains 75% of our rural population and popular iz ing th i s programme. 50 % of our work force. The main areas Availability of manpower and pressure of concern are low Seed Replacement on time of successive agricultural Rate, inadequate double cropping and operations prove to be important sub-optimal use of other inputs. constraints against double cropping. A large part of agricultural areas of the Accordingly, the government has state including Kashmir Valley have proposed 25% subsidy on the cost of been traditionally presumed to be p o w e r t h r a s h e r s a n d p a d d y single crop areas. Even crops like transplanters under Agriculture Farm mustards, oilseeds and fodders have Mechanization Scheme to effectively not drawn 100% attention of the deal with these twin problems. farmers in double cropping. SKUAST,
Epilogue Ø 22 × September 2009
ÄPlan Size of Rs.
25833.98 crore agreed thfor 11 FYP period is
78.16% higher than
plan size of Rs. th14500.00 crore of 10
FYP. Energy with Rs.
8196.95 crore is the
priority sector for
development followed
by Social Services sector
with an outlay of Rs.
6501.40 crore and
General Economic
Services and Transport
with outlays of
2740.98 crore and Rs.
2660.81 crore
respectively.
ÄBudget estimates of the
state for 2008-09 stood
at Rs. 18466.00 crore
which is 15.81% more
than 2007-08 figures.
ÄEstimated
disbursements for the
year 2008-09 were
placed at Rs. 12428.00
crore under non-plan
budget and Rs.
6038.00 crore under
plan budget.
KEY SECTORS Importance and allocations
Agriculture & Allied Sectors:
I N F O C U SBudget 2009-10
For Horticulture sector, the current year's proposed outlay is Rs.13.82 crore in
comparison to Rs.12.65 crore allocated last year. The department will substantially
increase the availability of high-density plantation material over its present level of
nearly 2 lakh saplings per annum by
involving private sector and ensuring
quality control. Production of apricots in
Kargil & Leh, cherries, strawberries,
plums in Kashmir Valley and other regions
with similar agro climatic conditions, olive
in Uri and Ramban areas, pears in the
Districts of Poonch and Rajouri and other
areas having similar agro climatical
conditions, sub-tropical fruits in the areas
of Jammu Division and cultivation of minor fruit crops in the wastelands and Kandi
areas shall be given priority. Production of saffron, siyah zeera, aromatic plants and
herbs shall be given the much needed boost. Agriculture Production Department and
Planning Department shall arrange to carry out economic analysis of various
commercial operations to determine their sustainability and to identify the areas
where additional government support is required. A cluster approach shall be
adopted for expanding production and improving productivity.
Airport Authority of India has Over 840 growers have been registered conveyed no objection to the transfer by the Floriculture Department, each of land to the Directorate of having green house facilities of at Floriculture for setting up of cooling least 2 kanals. These registered chambers. Request has been made to growers have made a good beginning APEDA to provide necessary financial by selling flowers in the markets support to start work on this project, outside the state. The government which will help in exports of shall actively and financially help perishable commodities like cut them to explore the export market in flowers, delicate fresh fruits and trout the Middle East by taking advantage of fish etc.international airport at Srinagar. The
Epilogue Ø 23 × September 2009
ÄThe State Government resorted to an overdraft (OD) of Rs. 2299.53 crore from J&K Bank as ways and means (WAM) facility to meet temporary mismatches in liquidity during 2008-09.
ÄWith the successful introduction of the VAT in the state, the tax revenue has increased by 42.25% from Rs. 1799.00 crore in 2006-07 to Rs. 2559.00 crore as per actuals for 2007-08. For the year 2008-09, the tax revenue has been estimated to be Rs. 2693.00 crore which indicates 5.24% increase over 2007-08 actuals.
Ä59.72%, 31.42%, 8.68% and 0.18% disbursements were meant for revenue account, capital account, interest payments and loan disbursements respectively during 2008-09.
Current year's allocation for horticulture sector is Rs. 13.82 crore against Rs. 12.65 crore last fiscal.
Horticulture:
Growth rate of Net State Domestic Product (NSDP) at constant price during1996-97 to 2001-02 at 20.74% as compared to 5.54% from 2002 onwards
2001-02 Rs. 14184.90 crore
2007-08 Rs. 19687.08 crore
Growth Rate 5.54% p.a
1996-97 Rs. 6320.65 crore
2001-02 Rs. 14184.90 crore
Growth Rate 20.74% p.a
Commercial Floriculture
I N F O C U SBudget 2009-10
Kashmir Silk was always rated as of the only 25 to 30% of the total production
best quality but immediately after de- and the rest of the cocoons are sold
monopolisation of the industry around outside the state. A corpus fund is in
the year 1988-89, it was severely operation for market intervention,
damaged during the period of running silk exchange and cocoon bank.
militancy. After its partial revival, the The Finance Minister has announced
industry still sustains about 22000 rural formation of a Multi Task Force comprising
families in 2150 villages producing 8 of experts from all the relevant fields to look
lakh kgs of cocoons valued at nearly into various aspects of mulberriculture,
Rs.7 crore. The local silk units consume sericulture, weaving and silk industry.
The state is woefully short in developing our animal and sheep
meeting its requirements of mutton, husbandry sectors. An embryo
poultry meat, eggs and woolens. t r a n s f e r t e c h n o l o g y i s o n
Presently we are importing nearly 16 experimental stage to develop a
lakh sheep annually for meeting the muttonous breed of sheep named
shortage of mutton. We intend to Dorper. Results are expected towards
adopt a holistic approach in the end of August, 2009.
Epilogue Ø 24 × September 2009
ÄAs on December 2008,
944 bank branches of
all Scheduled
Commercial Banks
were functioning in
J&K, constituting
1.21% of total banking
network of 77750
banks in the country.
ÄAgainst deposits of Rs.
25885.00 crore, the
Scheduled Commercial
Banks have made
advances of Rs.
12846.00 crore as on
December 2008 with
CDR of 49.63% in the
state as against the
CDr of 74.76% in the
country during the same
period.
Ä80.38 of the reporting
area constituted the net
area sown of the state
during 2007-08,
41.97% and 40.85% of
the net area sown and
gross area sown
respectively was
irrigated for 2007-08.
Sericulture Industry:
J&K's annual cocoon production is estimated at 8 lakh kgs valued at Rs. 7 crore. Cocoon rearing sustains livelihood of 22000 rural families in 2150
villages. The consumption in local silk units in only upto 30%, therefore, rest of it
has to be sold outside state.
Annual mutton consumption in J&K is of the order of around Rs. 1300 crore. Around 3.5 million sheep and goat are slaughtered a year and half of them are imported, mainly from Gujarat.
Animal Husbandry Sector
I N F O C U SBudget 2009-10
The import of poultry birds is estimated
at 1.30 Crores annually. The quantity of
eggs imported annually is estimated at
50 Crore. The consumption potential is
estimated between 200 to 300 Crore.
The Government intends to adopt a
multi pronged strategy for increasing
the production of poultry meat and
eggs. Rearing capacity of day old chicks
in the government farms shall be fully
utilized and establishment of hatcheries
in the private sector shall be
encouraged. Import of day old chicks
shall be facilitated so long as local
production capacity of day old chicks is
improved to meet full requirement of
poultry farms. The poultry department
shall also work out the feasibility of promoting
large-scale hatcheries for breeding of
improved parent stock equipped with R&D
facilities, in PPP mode.
Emphasis is on completion of the ongoing road programmes in the current and the
next financial years. The progress of works under PMGSY so far has been very slow
and the government vows to provide special attention and full funding for completion
of all on going projects in the plan. Power is prime infrastructural requirement.
Depending upon the progress of various Hydel Projects, namely Baglihar II, Sawalakot,
Ganderbal, Parnai and those in other places allocated to JKSPDC, full funding shall be
ensured in the plan of current year. Effort shall also be made to complete detailed
project reports, clearances from various Ministries & organizations, and complete
other formalities in respect of other approved projects.
Epilogue Ø 25 × September 2009
ÄCredit Deposit ratio
(CDR) in the state is
improving over the
years but its dispersal
among the districts is
not encouraging.
Ending December
2008, the highest
Credit Deposit Ratio
was observed for
Srinagar district with
84.65% followed by
Shopian with 59.62%.
Lowest credit deposit
ratio of 15.12% was
observed for Kargil
district, the next two
low ranking districts in
the credit-deposit ratio
are Kishtwar (15.98%)
and Ramban (19.06%)
ÄCropping intensity for
2005-06 in the state
was 150.05% as
against 135.88%
intensity in country for
the same period. The
cropping intensity has
further increased in the
state to 154.49%
during 2007-08.
Poultry
Annual consumption of eggs in J&K is estimated between 200 to 300 crore. 50 crore are imported.
Infrastructure
Revenue realized during 1997-98 to 2001-02 at 34.48%as compared to 23.54% from 2002 onwards
2001-02 Rs. 460.84 crore
2007-08 Rs. 1328.45 crore
Growth Rate 23.54% p.a
1996-97 Rs. 169.18 crore
2001-02 Rs. 460.84 crore
Growth Rate 34.48% p.a
I N F O C U SBudget 2009-10
Health and Education sectors are
centric to human development policy.
Primary education for all children with
focus on female literacy and 100%
adult literacy in a short time frame
are government's avowed goals. The
plan allocations for elementary
education are proposed to be
increased to Rs.358 crore from last
year's level of Rs.169 crore. Higher
and Technical Education sector is
also being given similar treatment.
Primary Health care is basic to
human development and secondary
and tertiary sectors meet critical
needs of the families. The Primary
Health Services Sector is proposed to
receive enhanced plan allocation of
Rs.164 crore in current year in
comparison to Rs.105 crore of last
year. Meanwhile, Rs.40 crore are
being exclusively earmarked under
State plan for Dal development during
the current year. Forestry sector is
proposed to be given Rs.27.50 crore in
comparison to Rs.24.50 crore of last
year.
Epilogue Ø 26 × September 2009
ÄOn an average one
bank is available per
107.40 Sq Km and
13000 people. These
figures for the country
work out to be 40.73
Sq Km and 15000
people.
Ä68% bank advances are
received by Jammu
(24%) and Srinagar
(44%) districts leaving
thereby only 32%
advances to be shared
by the remaining 20
districts of the state.
ÄJammu and Kashmir
economy continues to be
predominantly agrarian
although the
contribution of
agriculture and its
allied sectors towards
GSDP has decreased
from 51.05% in 1980-
81 to 31% in 1999-00
and then 27% in 2007-
08. Individual share of
agriculture in GDSP is
estimated to be 8 to
9%.
Plan allocation for Primary Health Services has been hiked to Rs. 164 crore against Rs. 105 Crore last fiscal.
Plan allocation for elementary education has been hiked to Rs. 358 crore against Rs. 169 crore last fiscal.
Social SectorSCHOOLS WITHOUT BUILDINGS
Rajouri 580
Baramulla 538
Anantnag 508
Kupwara 498
Badgam 488
Kathua 452
Kishtwar 341
Kulgam 314
Srinagar 285
Ramban 280
Bandipora 268
Pulwama 240
Ganderbal 147
Shopian 105
Kargil 104
Poonch 84
Jammu 71
Doda 61
Reasi 18
Udhampur 18
Leh 10
Samba 2
I N F O C U SBudget 2009-10
Parks in the private sector are coming
up at Ghatti and Govindsar in Kathua
district over 240 kanals of land with
investment of Rs.337 crore, for 56
number of units expected to generate
direct employment for 4000 persons to
be engaged in spinning, weaving,
processing, garmenting and ancillary
activities as also indirect employment
to another 4000 persons. Two clusters
of cricket bat units and wood based
industry are being promoted at Sangam
and Bagh - i - A l i Ma rdan khan
respectively. A silkcum-textile park is The present contribution of trade and
being promoted at Zakoora. industry to GSDP is 28.29%. The
government intends to exploit raw Rejuvenat ing the exist ing
materials located in the backward Industrial units is as necessary as
regions by promoting local industry creation of new units. In this behalf,
through clusters of industrial units in the government proposes to create two
identified thrust areas like food special rehabilitation task forces for
p roces s i ng , tex t i l e s , l ea ther revival of sick units on fast track basis.
processing, handicrafts, handlooms, The Industrial Estates lying closed shall
minerals, Information Technology and be reactivated and their dilapidated
many others. A new shelf of techno- infrastructure shall be upgraded.
economic feasibility reports shall be Efforts are being made to spot
prepared for this purpose and Special additional 20,000 kanals of wasteland
Purpose Vehicles shall be created to for creation of a land bank for new
implement such cluster schemes. Land industrial units, particularly in the
measuring 500 kanals has been backward areas. Efforts are also being
earmarked for Leather Zone in made to locate a big chunk of
Industrial Growth Centre, Lassipora. A wasteland where a special industrial
Common Effluent Treatment Plant zone can be created.
(CETP) is under construction under the The Directorate of Geology and
guidance of Central Leather Research Mining, which has become defunct is
Institute (CLRI) at a cost of Rs.642 lacs being re-activated to prospect, explore
with 50% funding by Government of and identify new mineral deposits of
India. The CETP is expected to be the State. The viable economic units of
completed by March, 2010. Two Textile the public sector undertakings shall be
revived. The uneconomic units shall be
closed down and the staff given another
opportunity to avail of Golden
Handshake Scheme.
The trade and industry have been
highlighting their problems connected
with compliance of various procedures,
processes and regulations. In order to
Epilogue Ø 27 × September 2009
thÄAs per 4 advance
estimates, foodgrains
production in the state
during 2008-09 is
projected to increase to
16275 thousand
quintals which will
record 3.62% increase
over foodgrains
production of 15707
thousand quintals for
2007-08.
ÄAverage holding size of
0.67 hectare for the
state and 1.32 hectares
for the country has been
recorded by 2000-01
Agriculture Census.
ÄContribution of
agriculture and allied
sectors to GSDP is
estimated to be 27% for
2007-08 as against the
all India average of
about 21% for 2006-
07. Horticulture
accounts for nearly
45% returns of
agriculture sector in the
state.
Industries
Present contribution of J&K's trade and industry to state's GSDP is 28.29%
Two private sector Textile Parks are coming up in Kathua district with investment of Rs. 337 crore. 56 upcoming units are expected to direct/indirect employment for 8000 persons.
I N F O C U SBudget 2009-10
attend to such issues on a continuous the mandatory inspections, filing of
basis, the Finance Minister has returns and other connected matters
proposed to create a standing forum in faced by them under various laws,
the form of an inter-ministerial group including barrriers in free movement of
of officers in association with all Stake rawmaterials and trade goods. The
holders. The Forum will look into the Forum shall devise procedural and IT
desirability of dispensing with some of Solutions to such problems.
With the democratic decentralization,
the Urban Local Bodies have been
empowered to take charge of local self
government. Their performance and
initiative in some areas of public
concern is indeed being appreciated.
However, voices are also being raised
by some quarters alleging delays in or
denial of building permission in some arise if the Local Bodies adopt cases, condonation of violation of absolutely transparent systems, building bylaws in some other cases, simplify the procedures, go for lack of sanitation and cleanliness complete automation in a time bound within the municipal areas, in- manner and create an efficient sufficient system of redressal of mechanism of redressal of public grievances, etc. In respect of one Municipal grievances. Therefore, the Finance Committee, the industrial units have Minister has offered to extend alleged harassment in the name of government support including financial charging of lorry adda fee from them help for making visible improvements even if they claim to be not connected in these areas. I hope that our local with the use of such lorry adda. bodies shall respond to this gesture
It is for the concerned local well in time so that IT based better and municipal bodies to investigate as to smoother systems of e-Governance are what extent such allegations are in place before the Award of the correct and to provide remedies as may Thirteenth Finance Commission for be required. We in the government feel Urban Local Bodies becomes operative that many of such grievances would not w.e.f. 1st April, 2010.
Epilogue Ø 28 × September 2009
ÄFruit production of
state for 2008-09 was
16.91 lakh tones
posting an increase of
3.36% over 2007-08
fruit production.
ÄDuring 2008-09,
11.17 lakh tones of fruit
were exported outside
the state of which
98.57% was of fresh
fruits. Foreign exchange
earnings on export of
dry fruit for 2007-08
were Rs. 161.44 crore.
ÄThere was 23908
functional SSI units in
the State providing
employment to around
one lakh persons ending
March 2009 as against
22937 units ending
March 2008.
thÄAs per the 5 Economic
Census-2005, there
were 324908
establishments in the
state as against
41826989
establishments in the
country.
Urban Local Bodies
State is looking for 20,000 kanals of wasteland in rural areas for creation of industrial estates.
Growth Rate of Interest Payment on Borrowings during 1997-98 to 2001-02 at 2.28% p.a as compared to 8.75% p.a from 2002 onwards
2002-03 Rs. 142.17 crore
2008-09 Rs. 229.26 crore
Growth Rate 8.75% p.a
1997-98 Rs. 117.47 crore
2001-02 Rs. 130.88 crore
Growth Rate 2.28% p.a
I N F O C U SBudget 2009-10
The government is proceeding ahead with its
plan to prepare a vision document and a Master
Plan for sustainable tourism in the long terms
perspective. Offers stand already invited from
the prospective consultants for the purpose and
the same are under examination by a Committee
constituted in this behalf. In the meanwhile, the
policy of private Sector investment in all fields of
Tourism, including promotion of guest-house
facilities, with the government playing the role
of promoter and facilitator, shall continue. The
Hotel industry has already been given tax relief on hotel tariff.
Epilogue Ø 29 × September 2009
ÄThe number of workers
in the establishments
was 751532 as
compared to
100904121 workers in
the country.
Ä19.95% of the
geographical area
(Jammu region
45.89%, Kashmir
region 50.97% and
Ladakh region 0.06%)
on this side of the
control line is under
forest. This ratio for the
country is 24.47%.
However, the prescribed
ratio of forest area for
the Hill states is 67%.
ÄWhile establishments
grew at the rate of
6.03% (Jammu and
Kashmir) and 4.69%
(India) per annum
during 1998-2005, the
corresponding rate of
growth in the
employment was 6.85%
(Jammu and Kashmir)
and 2.78% (India).
Tourism
This important rural employment scheme started in 2005 has been widely welcomed
at the national level. The implementation of this scheme in Jammu and Kashmir has
potential for further improvement. So far the government have registered 4.98 lakh
rural households and employment equivalent to 80 lakh person-days has been
generated last year under this scheme for 2
l a k h r u r a l households. One 1.7 lakh
Bank Account s have been opened so far
so that payments of wages are made
through Banks. A sum of Rs. 87 crore has
b e e n u t i l i z e d during last year. The
government now intends to generate 5
crore person-days in near future under this
Scheme and take the utilization of funds to
ten times at the level of Rs 800 crore. Enhancement of the existing wage rate under
NREGS from Rs.70 per day to Rs.110 per day has been proposed with immediate effect
for which necessary notification shall be issued under the Minimum Wages Act.
Setting a new trend, the daily wage of workers under NREG scheme has been hiked from Rs. 70 to Rs. 110.
NREGS
J&K has already earned accolades from of information of inter and intrastate
Empowered Committee of State level are expected to be in place by
Finance Ministers for efficient December, 2009.
implementation of VAT regime. The To give a push to the long pending
successful implementation of this complete computerization of treasury
regime depends on gathering of accounts in the first phase and all
information from other sources and by government accounts subsequently in a
cross verification of interstate and time bound manner is essential for good
intrastate transactions. Therefore, governance, the work has been
complete automat ion o f the assigned to J&K e-Governance
Department has been taken in hand at a Authority which has initiated similar
cost of Rs.20 crore. The major aspect of projects for Transport and Election
processing of returns and cross linking Departments as well.
Tax Management,Modernization
I N F O C U SBudget 2009-10
The traders have been confronting a law abiding dealers. “I accordingly
genuine problem of penal action by the accept this demand. The rule shall be
authorities for non compliance of rules modified accordingly”, said the FM.
which were notified much after the Rule 77 dealing with registration
date of commencement of the VAT Act of appeals requires that report of
in the State. Unfortunately, this assessing authority shall be obtained
problem has not been addressed so before proceeding with any appeal. A
far. Obviously, the traders cannot be demand has been made that in case of
penalized for violation of rules which delay in supplying this information,
did not exist but were later on given the appellate authority should
retrospective effect. The Finance proceed without such report, on the
Minister has announced a scheme of basis of information furnished by the
general amnesty for all such cases appellant. The demand is justified.
which shall be notified shortly However, the department o f
Amendmen t s : Reg i s t e r i n g Commercial Taxes is computerizing its
authority can demand, at its system very soon and all the record
discretion, additional security from shall become available on line. The
the dealers, on eventualities of the need to obtain a report from the
ex i s t ing dea le r add ing more a s s e s s i n g a u t h o r i t y s h a l l
commodities to its approved list etc. A automatically vanish. In order to take
representation has been made that no care of the present concern, the
such additional security should be Finance Minister has issued strict
demanded in cases where the existing instructions to the department that
dealers have been regularly filing all the assessing authorities must
their returns and depositing the VAT e n s u r e c o m p l i a n c e t o t h e
amount without any default. The requirement of rule 77(a) by
demand is rational and if accepted, submitting the requisite report
shall amount to due recognition for within 15 days time.
Epilogue Ø 30 × September 2009
ÄAs per the data made
available by the
Department of
CA&PDS, 5.88 Lakh
BPL and 3.71 APL
families are still
without household
latrines. By ending
December 2008, 93295
individual household
latrines have been
constructed against the
total target of 598614.
ÄThe sex ratio in the
state as per Census
2001 stood at 892
females per 1000 males.
However, the results of
the sex ratio survey
conducted by the
Directorate of
Economics and
Statistics in 2007 have
shown 925 females per
thousand males. These
figures are almost
similar with the figures
of 923 females per
thousand males revealed th
by 60 round of NSSO
Survey conducted
during (January to June
2004)
VAT Measures
Rs.10 crore fund has been proposed i n f ra s t ruc tu ra l improvement s
for expansion and modernization of combined with the improvements in
Toll Plaza at Lakhanpur which makes the software of the Commercial
the single point gateway to Jammu Taxes Department and Excise
and Kashmir. After the construction Department shall ensure that the
work s a re ove r, a p lan fo r ambience of the Toll Plaza shall
beautification of entire surrounding change from a chaotic, disorderly &
area shall be taken up including congested commercial place into an
construction of durable and clean arena of serenity, calmness and
spaces for parking of vehicles to beauty for the commuters to have a
avoid congestion, traffic jam or few moments of relaxation before
environmental pollution. These proceeding on.
Toll Plaza at Lakhanpur
I N F O C U SBudget 2009-10
Representations have been made In order to adopt a well conceived
to the Finance Department by Industry strategy for alleviating the problem of
asking for scrapping the negative list. It unemployment in the State, there is a
has come to the notice that Vanaspati fervent requirement of a sound
which is a product of some of the local statistical base. This is more so for the
industrial units cannot be easily reason that there is a lot of
distinguished from Vegetable Oil which equivocation about the very extent and
is also product of some local industrial nature of unemployment in the State.
units. Vegetable Oil is already on the For this purpose, it has become
negative list. Besides the situation has imperative to build a sound and
changed when Vanaspati was accorded dependable data base so that plausible
exemption from GST/VAT treating it as remedial measures are adopted.
a priority industry. Therefore, the Fo r ope ra t i ona l i z i ng th i s
production of Vanaspati is placed on arrangement at the ground level, the
the negative list. Government intends to revamp the
Epilogue Ø 31 × September 2009
ÄEnding March 2009, out of 12015 habitations in J&K state, 8761 habitations have been provided water supply.
ÄOut of the estimated hydro power potential of 20,000 MWs in the State, 16480 MWs have been identified of which only 14 percent of 2318.70 MWs have been exploited sofar.
ÄEstimated Birth Rate of 19.0 per milli, Death Rate of 5.8 per milli and Infant Mortality Rate of 51 per thousand live births was recorded in J&K for 2007 against the all India figures of 23.1, 7.4 and 55 respectively.
ÄWith the commissioning of 450 MW Phase-I of Baglihar Hydroelectric Power Project in December 2008, the installed capacity of the state sector power projects has reached 758.70 MWs.
Employment Generation
Since January 2009, the state subordinate selection board
made 8086 selections, PSC made 438 selections and 3835
youth were recruited in Police. During same period 11163 new
posts have been created and 5060 referred to PSC. During this
very period, 7035 posts have been referred to Police
Recruitment Board. Alongwith the previous backlog, the
vacancies available with PSC are 4,023. Similarly, the
vacancies available with SSSB, alongwith the backlog comes to
10,582. All the recruiting agencies have been advised to
expedite the selection process. Therefore, nearly 22,000 more
boys & girls can hope to get a government job in the current
financial year. Alongwith the appointment or selections already
made from January, 2009 onwards, the tally of government
jobs in respect of the present government may come to 34,000.
Vanaspati in Negative ListRepresentations have been made to the Finance Department by Industry asking for
scrapping the negative list. It has come to the notice that Vanaspati which is a
product of some of the local industrial units cannot be easily distinguished from
Vegetable Oil which is also product of some local industrial units. Vegetable Oil is
already on the negative list. Besides the situation has changed when Vanaspati was
accorded exemption from GST/VAT treating it as a priority industry. Therefore, the
production of Vanaspati is placed on the negative list.
I N F O C U SBudget 2009-10
Employment Exchanges and enhance Finance Minister has proposed to make
their role, both quantitatively and a beginning with two districts in the
qualitatively. They will be renamed as current year-one in Kashmir and one in
District Employment and Counselling Jammu division.
Centres. The District Centres shall Concurrently, the Government
develop a reliable statistical base intends to put in place a well conceived
including skill inventory and skill 'State Policy on Employment' to address
deficiency mapping. The number of all issues relating to the problem of
such District Employment and unemployment in the State. The
Counselling Centres shall be increased Planning and Development Department
has been directed to initiate the
process and the policy document, “I am
confident, shall be ready to be
launched on the 5th December, 2009,
the 105th birthday of the great
visionary of our State, Janab Sheikh
Mohammed Abdullah Sahib”. The
document shall serve as a road map
ahead and I solicit valuable suggestions
from the Hon'ble members of this
august House in arriving at a well
considered policy initiative. “I propose
to name this initiative as the Sher-e-
Kashmir Employment and Welfare
Programme for the Youth (SKEWPY)”,
said the Finance Minister. from 14 to 22 so that all the districts In the recent past (February, 2009) have a well placed institutional
a number of initiatives have been a r rangement fo r i n fo rmat ion undertaken at the national level to generation on the subject. It shall be enhance the skill endowment base in made mandatory for a l l the the country. Jammu and Kashmir State unemployed youth to get themselves while taking its share has to create reg i s te red w i th the D i s t r i c t about 50 lakh skilled persons by 2022 Employment and Counselling Centre for with emphasis on exclusivity. The aver-which the necessary formats shall be age annual target works out to be 3.85 prepared by the Department of lakhs which indeed is a huge task. In Economics and Statistics in a digital order to address ourselves to this chal-mode. A notification to this effect with lenge, the Government intends to for-all the relevant details shall be issued mulate 'State Pol icy on Ski l l by 30th of September, 2009 and the new Development' with an objective to cre-C e n t r e s s h a l l b e l a u n c h e d ate 'workforce empowered with simultaneously in all districts of the improved skills, knowledge and inter-State from the 2nd of October, 2009 to nationally recognized qualifications to coincide with the 140th birth day of gain access to decent employment'. At Mahatma Gandhi, the Apostle of Peace. the operational level the Government Buildings and other infrastructure commits itself to initiate and expedite for the District Employment and the process of establishing 22 district Counselling Centres shall have to be level 'Rural Self Employment Training provided for all the districts. The
Epilogue Ø 32 × September 2009
ÄThe installed capacity of Central Sector power projects from three commissioned projects is 1560 MWs. The demand of Power in J&K state for 2008-
th09, as per the 16 Power Survey conducted by Ministry of Energy, GoI is around 2120 Mws.
ÄAgainst the total road length of 18809 kms maintained by State R&B Department, 9559 kms are black topped, 4832 kms metalled, 1315 kms shingled, 3000 kms fair weather and 102 kms jeepable making the road density to be 18.55 km per 100 Sq km of are ending 03/2009.
ÄThe revenue realization of Rs. 737.83 crore under Power Sector during 2008-09 has increased by 6.43% as compared to the revenue realization of Rs. 693.24 crore for 2007-08.
All district employment centers are being renamed as employment and conselling centers. To be re-launched an October 2, they will have skill inventory and skill deficiency mapping to help aspirants find jobs.
I N F O C U SBudget 2009-10
Institutes (RSETIs)' in cooperation with employment ventures. A host of Central
the Ministry of Rural Development, Schemes presently in place for the pro-
G o v e r n m e n t o f I n d i a a n d motion of self employment ought to be
Public/Private Sector Banks. This insti- amplified with innovative self employ-
tutional arrangement shall be in place ment projects under various sectors.
by the end of the current financial year. The Government proposes to empha-
size on mass awareness programmes to The geo-climatic extremities in
apprise youth of the State about the the State cause a high incidence of sea-
bright prospects in self employment sonal unemployment particularly in the
p r i v i l e g e s t h r o u g h J & K countryside snowballing into out-
Entrepreneurship Development migration of labour force. In order to
Institute. address this phenomenon and ensure
livelihood security to the rural people, It should be borne in mind that all
Government intends to strengthen the the cent ra l l y sponsored se l f
premier Wage Employment Scheme employment schemes are credit linked
under 'National Rural Employment and the financial institutions generally
Guarantee Act' by extending its scope seem reluctant to extend credit facility
and enhancing wages. For this purpose to the first generation entrepreneurs in
'State Employment Guarantee Council' view of their risk perception. This has
has been advised to take up the matter negat ive impl icat ions on the
w i t h t h e M i n i s t r y o f Ru r a l development of entrepreneurship.
Development, Government of India for Such an equivocation warrants an
extending the scope of the scheme by immediate State intervention to ensure
incorporating relevant activities in the that the motivated and trained
list of already available 'Permissible prospective entrants to the field of
Works'. entrepreneurship/self employment are
nurtured and insulated from frustration Conventionally, government has
and mental agony. To address this been perceived as the sole employer
problem, the State Entrepreneurship and remedy has unfortunately been
Development Institute (JKEDI) is being invented in over-sizing the administra-
asked to offer 'Entrepreneurship tive machinery. Even when this conve-
Development Programme/s (EDPs)' as a nient option has been over exhausted,
p a c k a g e w h i c h a p a r t f r o m the problem of unemployment has actu-
sensitization, training and consultancy ally proliferated. This conventional
inputs shall include an incentive in the approach has, in fact, proved counter
form of non-refundable Seed Money to productive. This mindset needs to be
enable prospective entrepreneurs to changed and new entrants to the labour
kick start their ventures and make their market motivated to adopt self
projects bankable. For this purpose,
government intends to create an
'Entrepreneurship Development Fund'
with an initial corpus of Rs.25 crore.
The corpus shall be utilized under a
well conceived State Scheme for the
prospective motivated, trained and
prov i s iona l l y reg i s te red f i r s t
generation entrepreneurs to start their
ventures relating to the core areas
Epilogue Ø 33 × September 2009
ÄAs against the national level road density of 104.6 kms per 100 sq.kms of area, the state has 18.12 kms per 100 sq. kms with 24.37 kms for Jammu division and 15.93 for Kashmir division for 2007-08. The lowest road density is in the districts of Leh, Kargil, Doda (erstwhile) and Rajouri with 3.33 Kms, 6.84 kms, 7.77 kms and 16.31 kms respectively per 100 sq. km of area (The state road density is for roads maintained by PWD only)
ÄThe number of registered vehicles in March 2009 stood at 668427 as compared to 299104 numbers of registered vehicles in March 2000. The number of vehicles available per lakh of population in the state stood at 5342 (March 2009) as against the figure of 6739 at all India level of March 2004.
As a part of national mission, J&K is required to create 50 lakh skilled persons by 2022. The average annual target is 3.85 lakhs.
I N F O C U SBudget 2009-10
which inter-alia include agriculture, provides loan/credit facilities to the
horticulture, floriculture, medicinal first generation entrepreneurs
and aromatic plant cultivation and food belonging to the minorities on very low
processing. This scheme too shall be (3-6 per cent ) interest rates. The said
launched on 5th December,2009. Corporation has, for the purpose,
nominated Jammu and Kashmir Women The Government intends to build
Development Corporation (JKWDC) and complete synergy in different Self
Jammu and Kashmir Scheduled Employment Schemes presently in
castes/Scheduled Tribes (J&K SC/ST) vogue and ensure that the first
Corporation as the Channelizing generation entrepreneurs are actually
Agencies in the State. However, the benef ited by these Schemes.
latter has not been able to lift any Reference, in this regard may be made
money from NMDFC for the last five to the initiatives already taken by the
years limiting the opportunities national Minorities Development &
avai lable for the prospective Finance Corporation (NMDFC), a
entrepreneurs. In order therefore to Government of India undertaking under
ensure that the benefits actually reach the Ministry of Minority affairs which
Epilogue Ø 34 × September 2009
ÄThe total BPL estimated population ratio of J&K has arrived at 21.63% (24.21 lakh persons) with a dispersion of 26.14% (22.00 lakh persons) for rural areas and 7.96% (2.21 lakh persons) for urban areas as per the survey conducted in 2008 by the Directorate of Economics and Statistics. Poverty ratio at all India level for the year 2004-05 was found to be 27.50% with 28.30% in Rural and 25.70% in Urban areas as per NSSO Survey.
ÄOn the basis of BPL Head Count Ratio, the seven poorest districts in the State are Reasi, Ramban, Kishtwar, Poonch, Kupwara, Kargil and Bandipora which have more than 30 percent estimated BPL population ranging between 31.09 percent to 37.93 percent.
An estimated 5600 employees of J&K Government are working either on contractual, Adhoc or on consolidated salary bases. Government has decided to regularize these who have rendered seven years of service and are educationally eligible for the posts.
I N F O C U SBudget 2009-10
the identified clientele group, the Horticulture, Floriculture, Fisheries,
Government proposes to nominate JK Health and Sericulture etc where skills
EDI an additional State Channelizing rather than education are in greater
Agency of NMDFC for providing demand.
l o an s / c r ed i t f a c i l i t y t o t he Training of youth who may not be
entrepreneurs motivated, trained and highly qualified but would be suitable
promoted by the Institute. for jobs in these sectors, shall be
The Government proposes to organized by the proposed Agency. All
revamp the Employment Department the trainees shall be provided suitable
and place it under an Employment stipend during the period of training.
Facilitating Agency which shall be The Agency shall facilitate setting
created and placed under the charge of up of Polyclinics and Consultancies by
a very senior officer. The officers shall un-employed and retired doctors and
be hand-picked to take-up the engineers. The government and the
challenge at the district, divisional and financing institutions shall provide
state level and deliver with a package of assistance and loans in a
missionary zeal. There will be a system manner similar to that available for
of award and punishment for good and industrial units, suitably modified to
bad performance of officers. meet specific requirements of such
An Ove r sea s Emp loyment polyclinics and consultancies.
Corporation shall be created to liaise Lot of potential exist for
with the placement agencies, foreign meaningful utilization of knowledge,
embassies, Ministry of Labour and skill and talent of our educated
Department of Overseas Employment unemployed youth under NREGS. Last
etc. The proposed Corporation shall year 350 persons were engaged as
create a knowledge bank for aspirers of supporting staff to work as Computer
overseas employment, particularly on Operators, Accounts Assistants,
matters of legal requirements for Technical Assistants, Rozgar Sevikas as
migration, work environment in various well as Block level Programme Officers.
foreign lands, mandatory formalities With the targeted increase in person-
and formats etc. The proposed days of employment taking it to 5
Corporation shall also handle matters crore, we shall be generating potential
of employment opportunities within for absorption of nearly 3000 persons in
the Country. We hope that its role shall such jobs.
grow further after global recession The government also proposes to starts receding. simultaneously adopt a pro active
The proposed Employment approach for creating service related
Facilitating Agency shall have a self employment units which may be
Governing Body headed by the Chief utilized to meet the requirements of
Secretary to deal with all matters government departments to start with.
connected with employment of youth. Some of the areas coming to mind
It will also oversee the functioning of all immediately are plumbing, electricals,
Employment related organizations and repairing of motors, gadgets,
monitor progress of implementation of electronic items etc which are in
a l l employment schemes and demand in most of government offices.
programmes. The Agency shall also The service units promoted by
identify and create opportunities of technically trained and qualified youth
employment in sectors like Tourism, can be recognized to provide such
Epilogue Ø 35 × September 2009
ÄThe BPL Survey
conducted by the
Directorate of
Economics and
Statistics in 2008
reveal that the highest
percentage of Urban
poverty is in district
Kulgam with 15.83%
followed by district
Pulwama with 14%
and district Ganderbal
with 13.87%.
ÄThe government has
ordered for
reverification of BPL
lists maintained by the
various departments in
the State. The Deputy
Commissioners and
Tehsildars have been
appointed as Nodal
authorities for carrying
out the reverification
with their respective
jurisdictions. The report
has to be submitted to
the State Planning and
Development
Department within
three months from the
date of the issue of the
order i.e. 25-06-2009.
I N F O C U SBudget 2009-10
The society which does not take care of its women folk starts degrading. Amongst
various welfare measures which the government intends to initiate for socio
economic upliftment of women, a special scheme has been devised for their
economic empowerment. Under this scheme, 100 women entrepreneurs shall be
selected from each district taking the total to 2,200 in the first phase. They will be
granted direct loans upto Rs.3 lakh at a very low rate of 6% interest through the
State Women Development Corporation. The scope of the scheme shall be later
extended to tehsil level. For this purpose, the government shall provide a revolving
fund of Rs.10 crore to the State Women Development Corporation, in suitable
installments depending upon the progress of the proposed scheme. The State
Women Development Corporation shall be advised to ensure the techno economic
viability and profitability of the enterprises and develop a scientific monitoring
mechanism for timely interventions to ensure success of the assisted units. The
fields identified for this purpose include health care and pharmaceuticals;
restaurants, computers and information technology, agro based industries,
floriculture, cosmetics, perfumery and parlors; hosiery, ceramics, tailoring, leather
and food products etc.
Nearly 3300 agricultural graduates incentive of Rs.1500 per month payable
have been engaged as Rehbar-e-Zirat. through the DRDA or Panchayat, to such of
However, it is learnt that the services of the Rehbar-e-Zirats who would move
this technical human resource have not down to the panchayat level and work in
been properly utilized. One of the factors the field alongside the farmers, to serve as
responsible for this is the reluctance of the a meaningful link between them and the
appointees to move to the field on one concerned departments for popularizing,
pretext or the other. In order to implementing and monitoring the
meaningfully utilize the services of the progress of various agricultural related
Rehbar-e-Zirats, I offer an additional schemes.
Epilogue Ø 36 × September 2009
ÄUnemployment rate in
respect of J&K State,
has been worked out to
be 5.2% (5.4% for
males and 3.5% for
females) which is on
higher side when
compared to All India
figures of 3.1% (3.1%
for males and 3.0% for
females) as per Usual
Principal Status as per ndfindings of 62 round
of NSS (July 2005-
June 2006) report.
ÄIn J&K inflation rate
on all the series i.e.
Consumer Index of
Industrial Workers,
Agricultural Labourers
and Rural Labourers
was less as compared to
relative rate of inflation
in the country during
2008-09
ÄAggregate Technical and
Commercial (AT&C)
losses in power are very
high in the state and
have been put around
72%.
Agri Technos To Get More If They Work
services to government departments on government departments against clear
charges per visit basis, actual cost of vacancies. Their present number is
replaced parts plus wages at notified reported as 5,656. These appointees
rates. It is hoped that in due course of have been continuing in service for
time, private sector and the general considerably long time. As per the latest
population shall come forward to Apex Court rulings available on this
utilize their services. The requisite subject, a one time regularization of
support for setting up of such service service can be resorted to by the
units as also a transitional support government to deal with such situations.
mechanism for sustaining them during The government has accordingly decided
the initial years shall be worked out by to regularize all such persons who have
the government very soon. already completed 7 years of service
and who are academically qualified to A large number of contractual,
hold their respective jobs as prescribed adhoc and consolidated-salary
under rules. appointments have been made in various
Gender Care
I N F O C U SBudget 2009-10
ÄThe number of registered
illiterate unemployed
youths has increased to
4167 in 2008 from 4030
during 2007, thereby
showing an increase of
3.40 percent in the state.
The number of educated
unemployed had increased
to 89796 in 2008 from
82619 during 2007
showing an increase of
8.69 percent
ÄFM proposed an
employment cess of Rs 1
per litre on diesel. The
current level of
consumption of this
commodity is about 46
crore litres per annum.
Therefore, the proposed
measure is likely to yield
annual revenue of Rs 46
crore per annum and
additional revenue of Rs
30 crore in the current
financial year.
The over all allocation of the social enhance availability of doctors and
welfare schemes is proposed to be other paramedical persons in far-off
increased to Rs.138 crore in areas of state, the State Government
comparison to Rs.110 crore provided has decided to enhance the wages of
last year. Amounts available from the the doctors and paramedics working in
Centre shall be over and above this these far off areas. This will attract
figure. Special provisions have been qualified medical talent in rural areas
made in the budget for development of with adequate incentives. The doctors
Gujjar and Bakerwals, Schedule Castes employed in NRHM presently get wage
and Schedule Tribes, Women and Child of Rs.8000 per month. Their monthly
Welfare. An allocation of Rs.20.77 crore wage would be enhanced to Rs.16000.
has been proposed under Tribal Sub The paramedics under NRHM are
Plan. The allocations for the two presently employed on monthly wage
autonomous Hill Development Councils of Rs.4000 They would now get a
in Ladakh shall be given due step up monthly wage of Rs.9000.
alongwith other district plans which are State Government has also
being finalized shortly. concurrently decided to sanction
National Rural Health Mission is a special incentive for the doctors
mega national effort at ensuring serving in remote and far flung areas
healthcare through a range of popularly known as difficult areas. For
interventions at individual, household, this purpose, the difficult areas would
community and most critically at the be classified into two categories-
health system levels. The Central category-A (denoting more difficult
Government is using it as an essential areas) and category B (denoting
instrument for achieving its goal of difficult areas). The doctors serving in
health care in the rural landscape. Category-A areas would get additional
Under NRHM, the Central Government Rs. 8000 as special incentive while as
provides 85% of the financial assistance those serving in Category-B areas would
leaving 15% to be raised from out of the get additional Rs.4000. This financial
State's own resources. dispensation will surely attract more
and more qualified medics to serve in State Government is committed to
rural areas and lead to tangible make the most of the financial
improvement in a rural healthcare handholding provided by the Central
system. The aggregate financial Government under NRHM and
implication involved in the provision of the supplement its health effort in the rural
above financial dispensation would be of areas. In order to provide better health
the order of Rs.4.30 crore per annum. care for our rural population and
Epilogue Ø 37 × September 2009
Inclusive Development
Rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandit migrants Rehabilitation of our Kashmiri Pandit brothers and sisters and bringing them back to the social mosaic of Kashmir continues to be
of prime importance for the coalition government. That would be like a dream fulfilled for all of us. The package of 15000 jobs in
the State and private sector has been approved for them. Kashmiri Pandits who have been leading the life as migrants in various
parts of Jammu Division have been facing many hardships even though the government has taken various initiatives to ameliorate
their conditions from time to time. One of such hardship is the medical care needed in critical illness cases. The registered
migrants whose family heads are in State Government employment, are eligible to benefits under the medical scheme applicable
I N F O C U SBudget 2009-10
to the state government employees. Those not falling in this
category have been hard pressed for want of any
comprehensive, regular and satisfactory mechanism. For such
category of registered migrants, who are in receipt of cash
relief, announce 50% grant from the government subject to a
ceiling of Rs.5000 per family, for meeting cost of premium for a
year, if they enlist themselves under the mediclaim policy of any
recognized Insurer. The exact requirement for such financial
assistance shall be assessed in due course of time. To start with,
I announce a budgetary allocation of Rs.10 crore for this
purpose. A budgetary allocation of Rs. 130 crore for
construction/completion of 5242 tenements for Kashmiri
migrants under the Prime Ministers Reconstruction Plan has
been proposed so that the difficulties faced by the families of
our brothers in distress are mitigated at the earliest possible. A sum of Rs. 3 crore is being additionally allocated to complete the
road to village Jagti near Nagrota where new tenements are under constructions.
The government is extremely keen that the state as well as private sector join hands in discovering hidden talent of our society
engaged in solving local problems without any outside help. It will not only encourage creativity and innovations but will also
generate tremendous economic activity and increase our productivity. The Finance Minister has proposed to institute an award to
recognize five best innovations every year in identified fields with a prize of Rs. one lakh each. The state will also take every
possible step to get these innovations patented and popularized for the common benefit of the Society.
The militancy of last two decades has deprived a large number of families of their bread earners. Rehabilitation of widows and
orphans is a big challenge. The government has provided 825 jobs during the last 6 months to a member of the effected family
wherever feasible. To take care of the cases where cash relief of Rs. 4 lakh in lieu of a job has been preferred, about Rs.50 crore
have been spent so far to rehabilitate 1233 families.
All our development programmes and 2009 in the new pay scales. Sanction of the moving employees. A demand has
regulatory functions are being DA in the new pay bands has also been been made to the government by our
preformed by the government agreed in principle and the rates of DA lower grade employees to increase the
employees and, as such, their welfare effective from various dates starting same. I find the demand is genuine. I
too is a legitimate concern of the from 1.1.2006 have already been announce a new rate of temporary Move
government. Against serious constraints announced. I further announce increase Allowance at Rs.650 PM which shall be
on our resources, the government has in the rate of DA w.e.f. 1st. effective from August, 2009. This
announced adoption of the pay scales January,2009 to 22%. The increased measure will involve additional
recommended by the Sixth Central Pay amount of DA at 22% shall be paid in cash expenditure of about Rs.50 lakh per
Commission retrospectively from Ist from the first of July,2009. annum.
January, 2006. We have also authorised Temporary Move Allowance was 116. Serious misgivings appear to
them drawal of enhanced pay of July, fixed at Rs.550 PM a few years back for have unnecessarily arisen on account of
Epilogue Ø 38 × September 2009
Awards for Innovation
Rehabilitation of Victims of Militancy
Employees and Pensioners
I N F O C U SBudget 2009-10
payment of arrears of pay and
p e n s i o n r e v i s i o n a n d
implementation of the Sixth Central
Pay Commission Award. As the
Hon'ble members already know, the
requirement on this account is over
Rs.4000 crore. The demand for
allocation of this amount has been
already projected to the Thirteenth
Finance Commission who have to
take a view on this demand, for all
States, before finalizing their
Award. If this amount is made
available in one go, I would be the
happiest person to release 100%
arrears in cash. I appeal to the good
sense of State government
employees to maintain their
patience on this issue for a little
more time till the picture become
clear with the Thirteenth Finance
Commission Award.
One of the causes of growing concern in of increase DA rates as well as post this account. The Central Government
budgetary management lies in the ever retirement benefits payable at the and several states have introduced a
i n c r e a s i n g e x p e n d i t u r e o n time of superannuation. Keeping in New Pension Scheme where under, the
disbursement of pensions in respect of view the exponential rate of growth in government as employer and the
government as well as autonomous annual pensionary outgo, it is not concerned employees make monthly
bodies, statutory organizations difficult to see that an off budget contributions to a pension fund. The
operating on the Grant-in-aid of the solution to the problem is essential as incidence of payment of pensions will
government. The annual increase on after some years, may be a couple of get shifted to this pension fund. The
this expenditure is not within the decades, it will become absolutely scheme becomes mandatory for all new
control of the government. Unlike impossible to meet such expenditure recruits after it is notified. The new
gradual increase in the salary bills, out of budgetary provisions. As this is a pension scheme can be created under a
usually on account of increase in DA universal phenomena, the matter has proper statute. I propose to bring a bill
rates and normal annual increments in been discussed time and again at before this House accordingly so as to
basic pay, the increase in pension bills national level with a view to protect the enforce the New Pension Scheme from
takes place simultaneously on account posterity from a financial calamity on 1st January, 2010.
There has been a long pending demand from Hon'ble Members of the Legislature increasing Constituency Development Fund from
the existing level of Rs. 35 lakh with the approval of Hon'ble Chief Minister, I announce increase in Constituency Development Fund
from existing level of Rs.35 lakh to Rs.50 lakh. Modified guidelines in this connection shall be issued very soon.
Epilogue Ø 39 × September 2009
New Pension Scheme
Legislators get more to spend
I N F O C U SBudget 2009-10
Epilogue Ø 40 × September 2009
nnouncement of taxes always sounds harsh. The Finance Minister, however, had a collection of sayings to soothe the Aeffect. He said, “I am reminded of several quotes about taxation. One of them says that, “taxes, like Mothers-in- law, are
often misunderstood”. The other quote says “taxes are your contribution for living in a civilized society”. Be that as it may,
no budgetary exercise can be completed without resorting to some taxation measures. However, with a few exceptions in
mind, I do not intend to indulge in any substantial tax revenue raising venture for the time being”. The proposed taxation
measures are expected to yield additional revenue of Rs.69 crore in the current year. An ARM, figure of Rs.100 crore has
been kept in the budgetary document. “I propose to attain this target by making improvements in recovery of arrears or by
improved collection of current dues”, said the Finance Minister.
Liquor
Poultry
Liquor is an area which automatically comes to mind both on
account of the principles of State policy enshrined in the
constitution as well as a measure to raise additional revenue. The
rate of GST on liquor is currently 20%. I propose to increase the
same to 25%. I will be happy in case the consumption of liquor
goes down somewhat because of my proposed measure.
However, it is more likely that lovers of this commodity may take
the proposed measure sportingly and willingly contribute a little
more to the state exchequer. As such, estimates of expected
additional revenue on this account are placed at Rs.21.50 crore
per annum and Rs.15 crore in the current financial years.
Nearly 1.32 crore poultry table birds are being brought from
outside the state annually. They are subjected to a toll tax at
Lakhanpur @ Rs.2 per bird. If the poultry bird is reared within the
state, many people shall get employed in poultry farms under self
employment programme and also in cooperative sector. As adequate
numbers of day old chicks are not available within the state, the
poultry rearing units are also importing around 2.38 crore day old
chicks which are again subjected to toll tax at Lakhnapur @ Rs.1 per
chick. I have already explained that the government intends to
support local production of eggs, day old chicks and poultry. As a part
of the strategy, I propose to exempt import of day old chicks from
payment of toll tax and increase the rate of toll tax on poultry birds
from existing Rs.2 per bird to Rs.5 per kg. The net additional revenue
on this account is expected to be around Rs.4 crore per annum
which will be utilized for development of poultry sector within the
state.
Petrol Petrol is a commodity
which is used generally
by economically better
off people in our society.
The rate of tax on this
commodity in our state
is 20% with a cess of Rs.1
per litre which was fixed
many years ago. The
rate of taxation on this
item in respect of some
states goes as high as
35%. The current level of
consumption in our State
is over 14 crore litres. I
propose to increase the
cess to Rs. 3 per litre and
name it as employment
cess. I am sure this
increase is not likely to
burn a hole in the pock-
ets of those who are con-
suming this commodity.
This measure is likely to
yield additional revenue
of Rs.28 crore per annum
and about Rs.18 crore in
the current financial
year.
Diesel Similarly, the rate of tax on
diesel is 12% in our State some
of the other states have gone
to the extent of charging
more than 20% tax on this com-
modity. I am conscious of the
fact that this item involves a
larger number of persons from
the public who could be
d i rect ly and ind i rect ly
affected by any increase in
the rate of taxation. There is
no cess on diesel. I propose to
charge an employment cess of
only Re. 1 per litre on diesel,
which will make a marginal
difference in the cost of ser-
vices being made available to
the beneficiaries who would
be ultimately bearing the inci-
dence of the proposed mea-
sure. The current level of con-
sumption of this commodity is
about 46 crore litres per
annum. Therefore, the pro-
posed measure is likely yield
annual revenue of Rs.46 crore
per annum and additional rev-
enue of Rs. 30 crore in the cur-
rent financial year.
NEW TAXES The misunderstood mothers-in-law
I N F O C U SBudget 2009-10
Epilogue Ø 41 × September 2009
All of us who are present in this August House shall be no
doubt having a vision of their own about the future of
Jammu And Kashmir State. I too have a vision of an ideal
society which will consist of magnificent human beings
who are equal to the glory of this beautiful land,…… who
will be filled with spiritual endowment and in which the
skilled and the intelligent citizens will earn their
livelihood by honest means. Whatever be the way to
describe our individual vision, the fact remains that the
socioeconomic and spiritual upliftment of all men and
women, belonging to all castes, creeds, religions and
regions is our common goal. We can jointly turn our
vision into reality by pulling our heads together, plan
for the welfare of the people objectively and
implement all the agreed programmes in a transparent,
unbiased and judicious manner in due regard to
economy in cost, speed in time and optimizing the
peoples' satisfaction as our ultimate and joint goal. All
of us have to work in that spirit. Today we have a
golden opportunity to prove that given the financial
resources, we are collectively capable of delivering and
turn our state into a model state during the coming years.
This golden opportunity should never, never be lost.
“
“- ABDUL RAHIM RATHER,Finance Minister
EXCERPTED FROM FINANCE MINISTER’S BUDGET SPEECH
I N F O C U SBudget 2009-10
Epilogue Ø 42 × September 2009
Between 2002 and 2008 but they (Finance Ministers) fudged the
you remained a most figures to show their budgets with Zero
vocal critic of your Deficit. Besides a slew of differences,
predecessors, how your the key feature of my budget is that
budget is different from clearly shows the financial position as it
their? You have shown a exists. We have a deficit of Rs 2600
deficit of some Rs 2600 Crore and this is clearly reflected.
Crore while in last six years we have seen as The previous government many budgets with Zero set a precedence of Deficit. presenting separate
Yes, it is fact that I had serious budget for Power reservations about budget proposals my Department and it predecessors but that criticism was continued for three always healthy and based on facts and years. You have reversed figures provided by the previous the case. Any strong government itself. My main challenge reasons? was to their Zero Deficit budget. The In fact there was no reason at all for document s p re sented by the presenting separate budget for Power government clearly reflected shortfalls Department. See, Power is just one of
Soon after presenting
annual budget for 2009-
10, Finance Minister
ABDUL RAHIM
RATHER tells AHMED
ALI FAYYAZ that
unemployment problem is
being addressed in a
practical manner.
Excerpts of an interview:
INTERVIEW
'There are no quick fixes; we are working on a workable employment policy’
JULY 2009
Budget 2009-10I N F O C U S
the various departments like Health, realities. We are already largest Here is an example. The previous
Education etc. Do we have separate employer among all states in the government engaged more than 3000
budgets for all departments? The country. Take, for example, the case unemployed agriculture technocrats at
argument of my predecessors was based of Gujarat. They have a population of Rs 1500 per month without any actual
on the premise that separate power 5 Crore and total strength of requirement on the ground. These
budget shall streamline the financial government employees there is 4 youths did not have any work to do for
management. But that was a gimmick lakh. In Jammu and Kashmir we have months and now they are asking for
(though I should not say like this). The a population of little over 1 Crore and regularization. How can we do that
fort falls, in any case, remained. n u m b e r o f o u r g o v e r n m e n t without provisions and requirement?
employees is more than 5 lakh. Well, I have proposed in my budget
You changed the We are already working on speech to enhance their honorarium by
Economic Advisor to creating employment avenues and another Rs 1500 if they associate
Government. Was that will continue to do more. In our short themselves with the field work.
done to make a span of over six months, more than
difference? 12,000 recruitments have already Look at the level of
been made and towards the end of injustice. You have We didn't remove the Economic Advisor
this year the number will go up to enhanced the daily (Dr Haseeb Drabu, also Chairman of J&K
around 35,000. But these measures wages of NREGS workers Bank). He resigned and we accepted the
will not help for long. We have from Rs 70 to 110 per resignation.
proposed innovative measures. The day, which means a
most important thing is to have a labourer takes home Rs But you did not ask him to
reliable database of the kind of 3300 a month but a stay
skilled and unskilled workforce post-graduate in Why should we. If somebody does not
available so that a policy can be Agriculture or want to work we can't force him to
formulated keeping in view demand- Horticulture is getting Rs work.
supply in different sectors for 1500 a month? These
facilitating employment of these youths have Levying small taxes here youths in state, country and beyond. expectations to the and there is not going to We are also planning to gather details government. They say make a big difference. on the nature of job market. We are Chief Minister is of their Your party (National creating an employment fund to train age and he can Conference) was quite the unemployed youth for enhancing understand their clear and explicit in their employability. Other measures problems. making a promise on include exploring self employment You can't undermine the efforts of employment during your avenues. However, I can assure on NREGS workers, they participate in election campaign. Your this occasion that in next couple of nation building. At the same time we election manifesto also years we will be in a position to a re se i zed o f the p l i gh t o f outlines definite address the unemployment problem unemployment technocrats but the measures. How far have to a large extent. government can't go beyond a point in you been able to go in
offering white collar employment. Our fulfilling this promise?
You had also talked resources are limited. We are heavily Unemployment is a serious problem about stipend and dependent on central funding. Our in Jammu and Kashmir. People look allowances to present resources are not beyond Rs towards the government as their unemployed youth. 4300 Crore (total tax and non-tax natural employer. I don't say that What about that? revenue for current fiscal) and the government should not employ more
We never made such commitment but present salary and pension bill is around people but at the same time we
let me tell you that is not any solution. Rs 8800 Crore. should be aware of the ground
Epilogue Ø 43 × September 2009
I N F O C U SBudget 2009-10
Year After Land Row
Epilogue Ø 44 × September 2009
respectively, for upcoming campaign. later, to the surprise of all, not only the ever since 1947 was Kashmir summer agitation was nullified by a A year after three month long seen so far from Delhi and N huge public participation in state agitation, thousands of those who Jammu so disconnected from assembly elections but questions also stayed put on the streets day and night Kashmir. Politics, and unfortunately cropped up on two-decade long of pumping their lungs out in slogans have Press too, had drawn clear lines on basis separatist politics when many from the questions for their leaders. Did they of regions and religion was an obvious separatist camps crossed over the fence really achieve what they fought for? undercurrent. The voices of sanity had to either contest elections or campaign Unfortunately, no one is ready to been completely taken over by the for their favourite candidates. If New answer any of these questions. In fact dominant discourse of animosity so Delhi is dilly-dallying in resuming no one is in a position to handle these much so that Prime Minister of India Dr dialogue with Kashmiri separatists, the questions. The coalitions of leaders Manmohan Singh said, “I am deeply answers for this question have to be have broken down. You approach one pained over the situation”. India sought from Kashmir and not New Delhi. leader and he will direct you to the utilized most of its energies over past An article later in this section (Kashmir's other. Moving round and around, the several decades to prevent an democratic catharsis) explains the conclusion is, “the issue is over and so is international reference to the Kashmir dramatic turnaround in the Valley of our role”. issue as Pakistan would always lobby for Kashmir. In Kashmir the game was played such comments. The summer fire of
However, in Jammu, a year after well but it was lost with an equal ease. 2008, however, left the mandarins in Amarnath agitation, disillusionment Towards the middle of August, when New Delhi perturbed when a spokesman and disappointment is much deeper. lakhs took part in a symbolic march of the United Nations said, “we are Jammu's complaint of playing second towards Muzaffarabad capital of watching over the situation in Jammu fiddle to Kashmir has been there for Pakistan administered Kashmir, many and Kashmir with deep concern”. An all-last 60 years now. It was on this felt that Azadi was just few days away. A party panel constituted by the Prime pretext that hundreds and thousands ringside view would show that India had Minister, comprising of leading political of people were mobilized to agitate been completely wiped out from figures of country, failed to break the and oppose a decision (withdrawal of Kashmir's 'national' map. The only ice as the element of religion, the core ownership of land to Amarnath shrine visible symbols of India left in the Valley driving force behind Amarnath land row board) of the government under those days were the security forces and agitation, had spread its message across pressure from Kashmir's political class. c u r r e n c y n o t e s . T h e I n d i a n the country and the election bound Exactly the way a common Kashmiri i n t e l l i g e n t s i a a n d e v e n t h e ruling Congress (and its allies) and foresaw Azadi just few days away, the policymakers admitted that game in opposition BJP (and its allies) saw the common perception in Jammu was Kashmir had been lost. Two months issue as a major spoiler or leverage,
EPILOGUE CORRESPONDENT
Jammu & Kashmir
A Year After Amarnath Land Row
These days last year, Jammu and Kashmir was caught in worst crises of 50 years. In the months of June,
July and August, the State appeared close to a collapse under troika of separatist, communal and regional
politics. Under the garb of regional sentiments, communal passions were touching an all time high and
both regions –Kashmir and Jammu –were pitted against each other in a ball game of hatred.
UMMAJ /V S K A S H M I R
that agitation will settle down the Jammu are again talking about
issues of regional discrimination regional discrimination and the latest
lingering on since 1947. On the issue is about location of Central
midnight of August 30-31 2008, when University. While the Shri Amarnath
Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti Yatra Sangharsh Samiti, which
–a ragtag coalition of over 70 small described itself as a historical
and big organizations –headed by its popular movement of entire Jammu
convener Leela Karan Sharma, a province is in oblivion, the grouping
Jammu based lawyer, inked an stands torn apart and its then
agreement with a four-member panel convener Leela Karan Sharma, who
of the state government, next would proudly call himself as Gandhi
they are now being led by the peoples in
whichever direction they seek to pull
them. The loss in Jammu has been much
more serious which needs good deal of
time and sustained efforts to repair.
Jammu had a unique culture of unity in
diversity which was completely divided
on the religious and sub-regional lines
by the agitation without gaining
anything substantial except for the
restoral of land to the temple trust, that
too on temporary basis.
morning the people in Jammu hit of Jammu, says “my inning is over”.
streets dancing to the beats of The cumulative loss to the business
drums. It was a victory celebration. and economy during three months of
But victory over what? People were agitation in Kashmir and Jammu has
told that the struggle is for the been officially put at around Rs 20,000
political rights of entire Jammu Crores and the loss of life was not less
province but the agitation was called than 80. As an observer puts it as mass
off only on the issue of so called public hysteria, aftermath of the
restoration of land to the temple agitation of 2008 pushed the separatist
trust. A year later, the issues of leadership of Kashmir to the wall so
discrimination are exactly the same much so that the leaders are no more in
as they were decades back. People in a position to lead the people and in fact
Epilogue Ø 45 × September 2009
Year After Land Row
EPILOGUE, JULY, 2008
EPILOGUE, SEPTEMBER, 2008
Jammu, July 2008
UMMAJ /V S K A S H M I R
Year After Land Row
Epilogue Ø 46 × September 2009
realized that the government of the day What motivated you to launch a
will soon succumb to the pressure and mass agitation in June 2008 and what
revoke the land transfer order. The were the factors that helped you to
sustain the stir for so long? immediate motivation in mind was a
I can recall when allotment of a question: “is it so simple in Kashmir to
piece of forest land to Shri Amarnath brandish Pakistan flags and slogan
Shrine Board was made by the against India to send the government
government; I was in Srinagar on a packing?” I rushed back to Jammu and
holiday. In a matter of days I saw people shared my perception with friends and
in hundreds and thousands spilling over other like-minded persons. I told them
the streets in Kashmir calling for that revocation of land appeared nearly
revocation of the land transfer order. imminent and we should be prepared
They carried green flags, denoting their for a counter-agitation to show the
sentimental inclination towards Kashmiris that we simply won't allow
Pakistan and raised slogans against that to happen. Our apprehensions
India. I watched situation keenly and proved true. Government announced it
Recalling Gandhi of Jammu
During the July-August 2008
agitation in Jammu, some youth
asked a commuter in Jammu
after smashing window panes of
his car “if Leela Karan can walk
on foot to oversee complete
shutdown why can't you leave
your car home”. This scene was
widely televised on the local
cable9 based channels to
personify Leela Karan Sharma,
the convener of Shri Amarnath
Yatra Sangharsh Samiti (SAYSS),
as modern day Gandhi of Jammu.
What does Leela Karan do these
days, many are not aware of. The
SAYSS –a coalition of 72
organisations –he floated to
agitate on the Amarnath land
transfer issue is now in tatters. He
had espoused the cause of alleged
regional discrimination against
Jammu. A year after Amarnath
land row agitation, Jammu,
simmering with discontent, is
again in the agitation mode but
neither Leela Karan nor his
SAYSS is anywhere in picture. In
an exclusive interview to
EPILOGUE, Leela Karan admits
that he has been isolated by the
leaders with vested interests. Here
are excerpts:
UMMAJ /V S K A S H M I R
decision to revoke the
land allotment order and
w i t h i n h o u r s w e
announced our schedule
of agitation.
Once the agitation
was announced then it
was purely the divide
blessings of Lord Shiva
that the force multiplied
and people joined in
unprecedented manner
to sustain the stir for over
two months. My role was
then limited to just giving
directions and reviewing
progress on daily basis. It
was basically the pent up
anger of the people of
Jammu region against
Kashmir i leadersh ip
which drew elders,
women and even children
out of their homes to
struggle for their rights.
W h a t r i g h t s ?
Several times during agi-
tation you said that it
was a struggle for the
rights of the people of
entire Jammu region.
But at the same time
your agenda entirely
veered around religion.
See, religions (tem-
ple trust land transfer
issue) was a trigger. The
larger issue was, of
course, discrimination
against Jammu region.
Please explain this
logic.
It is very simple to
understand. Every deci-
sion is taken by the State
Epilogue Ø 47 × September 2009
Year After Land Row
'Yes I am in isolation'
UMMAJ /V S K A S H M I R
Leela Karan Sharma
national newspapers. The agitation dishonest to their people. These and Central Governments at behest of Kashmiri leaders are chronic enemies of educated the entire country on issues of Kashmir centric political leadership Jammu but they still get warm Jammu region. and keeping in view the sentiments of receptions because political leaders of Kashmiris. People in Jammu are taken different parties have their own vested You remember, during the days of completely far granted and it was a interests. agitation people blocked entry of manifestation of this tendency that
National Conference leader Dr Farooq after a brief protest in Kashmir, the But sir, you had emerged as the Abdullah and Peoples Democratic government of the day succumbed and
popular leader during agitation and Party leader Mehbooba Mufti to the rolled back the land allotment order. your supporters would often call you town they were under a virtual siege We have had enough of such discrimi-as Gandhi of Jammu. You owe an at the airport for several hours before natory decisions and this time we answer for going into hibernation. being escorted under heavy security decided to resist. Why do you blame other leaders when to the airport. Thousands of meters of
you emerged as the most popular Ok. What you got from the leader yourself? g o v e r n m e n t ( t w o - m o n t h
I am not in any hibernation. You temporary use of land purely for must understand that I am a pilgrimage days) was something professional. I am a lawyer by offered to you at the very outset of profession and that is how I earn my agitation. What did the two-month bread and butter. I have hundreds of long agitation achieve? Please see clients who trust me. They suffered this question in the larger context during agitation. Immediately after of what you call as collective rights agitation I got back to my
of the people of Jammu region. professional work and respond to my
Well (after a long pause), our clients. That is my basic engagement
core issue was the protest against and I can not compromise there.
interference in our religious affairs
which we got settled down. Other During agitation, you would
issues constitute a continuous always vociferously assert that you
process and it is long way to achieve have nothing to do with politics and
justice for Jammu region. However, will never join active politics. But it
the major achievement (besides did not take much long for you to
temple land issue) was that we were cross the fence. What brought you
successful in internationalizing the to the electoral politics that you
cause of Jammu. contested Lok Sabha elections on cloth were burnt in the effigies of
BJP ticket? Omar Abdullah for his speech in Internationalizing the cause of
I have always been of the opinion Parliament. But just a week after Jammu? Please elaborate. that issues can be resolved only when agitation was over Omar was brought
In the Indian and international they are raised at appropriate in long procession of enthusiast context Jammu and Kashmir is debated platforms. The leaders of Jammu mostly supporters to his party office and and discussed only for 'Kashmir'. Jammu watched their own interests and never almost same was the reception has its own history, culture and issue talked about issue of the region. I had accorded to Mufti Mohammad Sayeed which were never taken note of in espoused a cause that I will take Jammu on his arrival to Jammu. They were media and political circles. You must issues to the Parliament to seek their welcomed in the same town of Jammu have seen those days Jammu occupying redress. The central leadership of BJP as heroes. How this turnaround? the prime time on television channels also felt that I am the right choice for See, this is the basis misfortune of and getting banner headings in leading the job. Jammu. Our political leaders are
Epilogue Ø 48 × September 2009
Year After Land Row
I have suffered huge personal
monetary losses during agitation
and later in elections. Right now I
am busy in making up losses,
getting back to my clients and
pleasing their cases in the court.
But yes, let me admit that I often
feel isolated among the politicians
who have their personal interests
supreme.
UMMAJ /V S K A S H M I R
But this decision was strongly against region. We have not heard Well, it is true that I have not been
resisted by the local leadership of anything from you. visiting the BJP office or attending
Jammu. many of the functions because politics See, on the issue of Central
Yes there were some elements University our people are agitating in is a different game. I told you earlier
with narrow approach but the central their own way. As far exclusion of that my basis engagement is my legal
leadership was convinced about me. J a m m u f r o m w a t e r b o d i e s profession where currently I am
conservation plan is concerned, I am devoting my time. I have suffered huge
not aware of that. I could not see many personal monetary losses during You lost election by huge margin
of the newspapers recently and am agitation and later in elections. Right of 1.22 lakh votes. That is a
hearing this first time from you. I will now I am busy in making up losses, significant margin. It was no direct
issue a statement on this very soon. getting back to my clients and pleasing contest by any means. Months before
their cases in the court. But yes, let the elections you were the leader
me admit that I often feel isolated of masses ; somebody who
among the politicians who have their mobilized lakhs of people. Then in
personal interests supreme. electoral politics, people did not
That is not fair sir. You have a fully trust you. What happened?
mandate of 2.5 lakh people of four Your assessment is wrong and I
districts who voted for you in Lok don't agree with this. The ruling
Sabha elections. You could not reach establishment deleted more than
the Parliament but you are a 1.5 lakh votes, particularly in
representative of 2.5 lakh people. regions of Rajouri and Poonch who
We have not seen you even on the were believed to be my supporters.
thanks giving tour. Had that not happened, I would
Let me correct you. I thanked my have won the elections by a margin
voters through statement in the press of at least 30,000 votes. Then there
and the local television channels. were two other factors –I did not
have the kind of money to face
elections and BJP's local cadre did But sir do you think people
not fully support me. would have voted for you if you had
sought votes by a request through
the press. We saw you reaching out Well, according to you your
to all areas across four districts. loss in elections comes as loss of
Jammu but there are ways of Look I have told you twice earlier
taking up public issues even if you that for being active in politics one
are not an elected representative. needs a lot of infrastructure and
You are no more with Shri For example, Jammu is once again money. You can well understand that
Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti and agitating on the location of Central one needs at least a good vehicle to
have never been seen at the BJP University as many believe that it is reach out to these far flung areas.
headquarters or at any official being established in Kashmir; Neither have I had the kind of money
functions of the party after recently the Union Environment nor the infrastructure to do that. But
elections. Don't you feel that a year Minister announced a funding of Rs that does not mean that I am keeping
after agitation you stand completely 1700 Crores for preservation of myself completely away from people.
isolated? famous lakes in Kashmir but there I am doing whatever is possible for
I am no more a convener of the was no mention of important water me. Recently I have been to Chhamb
Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti bodies in Jammu region. These sector (some 40 kilometers from
but I continue to be its member and issues are being seen in Jammu as Jammu City) to thank the people who
have often been attending meetings. fresh onslaught of discrimination voted for me.
Epilogue Ø 49 × September 2009
Year After Land Row
I am not in any hibernation.
You must understand that I
am a professional. I am a
lawyer by profession and that
is how I earn my bread and
butter. I have hundreds of
clients who trust me. They
suffered during agitation.
Immediately after agitation I
got back to my professional
work and respond to my
clients. That is my basic
engagement and I can not
compromise there.
UMMAJ /V S K A S H M I R
Year After Land Row
Epilogue Ø 50 × September 2009
magine what was happening these always remained obedient and humble struggles to conclude. People of Jammu
days last year. Emotions of to his mother, has always accepted all are contented with the licences of B.Ed IJammuites were at the peak. I have the orders or commands of mother with Colleges, Bars and Liquor Shops. This is
not seen freedom struggle but I am sure no fuss at all. Look at the irony the not an anti-national or criminal demand.
that the feelings and sentiments if not mother has never thought. This child is Constitution of India very well permits
greater but must have been at par. What ailing. This child is not well at all. Elder this. New state had been created in the
has happened now situation or feelings brother is not taking care of the younger past and will be created in future as well.
it now are just like a deflated balloon. one and mother has no time or intention Till the time it does not happen we the
We have forgotten every thing so fast. to take care of this ailing child. Why is it people of Jammu will keep as cribbing
Where that energy has gone? Has any so? The reason is, younger child does not whenever we see the lists of P.S.C., S.S.B.
body thought what was the real issue ? cry and remember mother feeds only entrance examinations etc.
You think that piece of land, well I when the baby cries. I have got nothing to do with BJP, strongly contradict that. We all know Problem with us is that we think Congress, PDP or NC etc. I am a common what is the real problem. I have failed everything will happen on its own or man like everybody. I want the answer to understand why no body is airing the why should I do any thing. It's not my from all the common people of Jammu. real issue openly and bravely. I firmly problem. But then will bell the cat. Two Was last year's Sangarsh a fluke. Do your believe in the thought – “Be Bold in generations have gone and they did think there was no spine or bone in the What You Stand For.” Yes, the real issue nothing; ours is the third generation our struggle. If your answer is no then is suppression of Jammu and which has taken this discrimination lying why Jammu centric people were Jammuties. Don't you think so. My dear down. Do you want our children should defeated. My pointer is towards defeat friends land now was not the disease but also suffer because we are sleeping. of Ms. Shilpi Verma in Assembly was jus a symptom. Last year only the elections and Mr. Lila Karan Sharma in Do you remember these names – symptom was treated but the disease is Parliamentary Elections. Again I would Mr. Brij Mohan, Mr. Gulshan Honda and still there. What we got in the solutions like to highlight I have nothing to do Mr. Subash . No even I was made to do of land deal was a symptomatic relief. with any political party. Their defeat some search to get thee names. These Disease is still not cured. Even at that has given the strength to the thought of people are our martyrs. (Shheed of time no body talked about permanent struggle of proverbeat two and half Jammu). These boys sacrificed their discriminations with Jammu and even districts. Such ideas got weightage lives on September 16, 1966 for the today we are sleeping over things. because we the people of Jammu are cause of Jammu. It was their sacrifice
Ours is the story of two siblings. reluctant to come out of the confronts because of which we have Agricultural One sibling has never recognized or of our bedrooms and drawing rooms. University at R.S.Pura. If this is the respected his/her mother, has always Come on friends, if we really think some respect we carry for our Martyrs then been on war path with its own family, thing is got to be done then keep hand we deserve what we are today (Please has always admired or respected the on your hearts and do some soul pardon me if I am getting too harsh)neighbour's mother still the real mother searching and do something for coming There is a talk of creation of some has always prepared or given everything generations. Please think over it.new State in India.There is no Jammu in to this sibling. His all the demands are Author is a doctor at Acharya that list and why Jammu's name should listened with due care accepted or not Shri Chander College of Medical be there? Who has asked for it ? No body. accepted is different issue. On the Science (ASCOMS) Hospital. Views That shows we have not even started other hand is this second sibling who has expressed here are his personal.our struggle. It takes ages for such
KAPIL SHARMA
OPINION
Needed Soul SearchingLife After Sangarsh 2008
UMMAJ /V S K A S H M I R
Epilogue Ø 51 × September 2009
significant discourse-changing effect society. What's more remarkable is that he separatists were stunned, as
within Kashmiri politics. Suddenly, the democratic electoral process within were most observers of the crisis
separatist figures who rode high on the the long-running conflict situation in in Kashmir, a state in the throes Tlong summer of discontent were pushed Kashmir has proven therapeutic too. of secessionist violence since 1989. The
to the margins of the state's political life The election in December 2008 same people who fought the system in
and the pro-India mainstream parties isn't the only one that nudged Kashmir the summer voted for it in the winter. along a different track. In 2002, Kashmir like NC and PDP hurtled back to centre-The struggle against Indian rule had assembly polls were held in a situation stage (the NC won the plurality of seats, gone hand-in-hand with participation in of unremitting militant violence. The and formed a coalition government with democratic elections, even though the state was still reeling from the the Congress). It goes without saying former and the latter apparently stood destabilizing consequences of the short that a free and fair election can usher in in opposition to each other. India-Pakistan war in 1999 over the profound political transformation in any The assembly elections had a
RIYAZ WANI
Kashmir's Democratic Catharsis
Local elections in the restive Indian state have reshaped Kashmir's landscape of conflict In the summer of 2008,
Indian Kashmir reverberated with the groundswell of protest. Hundreds of thousands of people took to the
streets, heeding the call of the separatist conglomerate, the Hurriyat Conference. This was the first time after
the initial years of two decades of armed conflict that Kashmiris reverted to the method of peaceful political
agitation, loudly turning their backs on the gun. (The immediate provocation for the protest was the transfer of
state land to a Hindu trust which facilitates the annual pilgrimage to the ancient shrine of Shri Amarnath in the
Himalayas. The decision stirred the deep local suspicion of a larger design to undermine the Islamic character of
the troubled, Muslim-majority Valley of Kashmir.)
To handle the protests, the state government took recourse to curfews and stringent security measures,
which shut the Valley down for almost three months. Yet the most effective way of dealing with the protests -
and the underlying mistrust of New Delhi that they stemmed from - was not through the baton but the ballot.
Elections for the state assembly in December 2008 were revelatory.
Initially, observers feared the worst for the polls. Major regional pro-New Delhi parties like National
Conference (NC - the opposition party at the time), People's Democratic Party (PDP - the then ruling party) and
the Congress itself (India's ruling party) squared up for a tough electoral battle. But the seething "separatist"
summer seemed to have driven these establishment and more conciliatory parties to the fringes of the Valley's
political landscape. Hurriyat, which saw the state polls as designed to strengthen India's "occupation" of
Kashmir, called for the boycott of the exercise. In the lead up to the vote on 17 November, it seemed that the
force of recent popular protest would leave the polling booths relatively empty. Instead, turnout shocked
everybody. Booth after booth, long waving queues of people waited for hours in the winter chill to cast their
votes. An estimated 63 per cent of voters (around three million out of the 4.8 million eligible voters) cast their
votes, which was by far the highest turnout recorded in the Valley in the past 20 years.
Year After Land RowUMMAJ /V S K A S H M I R
Kargil heights. The continuing alliance of largely religious parties led year-old monopoly over Kashmir. And
insurgency inside Kashmir intensified by the Jamaat-i-Islami. The same the beneficiary of this urge for change
with fidayeen attacks and suicide practice was followed in 1996, when the was the PDP - then just six years old - led
bombs becoming routine. But the Indian army coerced people to vote to by a former home minister of India,
election in 2002 - which was the first boost the turnout in what remained a Mufti Muhammad Sayeed. The result
cleanly-held exercise in the state's mostly boycotted election, with less was cathartic for the long pent up
entire democratic history - made a than 20 percent of eligible Kashmiris democratic aspirations in Valley. The
significant, redeeming difference. In a voting. All the polls from 1953 through realization that Kashmiris could
spectacular change in its Kashmir 1975 also share in this history of actually change governments through
strategy, New Delhi finally agreed to manipulation, with local governments the ballot gave the otherwise alienated
hold a free and fair election in the state being imposed and dismissed at the will people a fresh stake in the system.
as an effort to both clear its name of of the Indian government. Such a rich Everybody in the Valley expected the NC
past wrong-doing and to undermine the tradition of orchestrating from New to ride back to power on New Delhi's
ideology and popularity of the Delhi sparked the outrage that fed into support. But relatively high turnout (44
separatists. a violent secessionist movement in 1989 percent) set in motion a sea change in
Democratic processes in Kashmir (which was only abetted and Kashmiri politics.
at the time lacked all credibility. transformed into a more Islamist While the verdict of the election
Successive elections in the state had insurgency later in the 1990s with the came as a relief to Kashmiris, it was
been rigged to suit New Delhi's chosen spill-over of Afghanistan-hardened something of the opposite for many
allies and political outfits. In 1987, the mujahideen fighters after the triumph politicians. Realizing that political
ruling NC was allowed to manipulate the of the Taliban). power in Kashmir was now flowing from
election in its favour when all Yet the effect of the 2002 polls was the people rather than from the will of
indications pointed towards the striking. The election for the first time New Delhi, politicians had to become
triumph of Muslim United Front, an dislodged the NC and ended its fifty more responsive to local issues and
Epilogue Ø 52 × September 2009
Year After Land Row
Azadi agitation, Kashmir, August 2008
UMMAJ /V S K A S H M I R
aspirations. Political parties which until Forces Special Powers Act, seeking a weight of increasing democratization
now exclusively represented New Delhi reduction in the security presence of within Kashmir, the hardline positions of
's interests in Kashmir began to better the state and demanding an acceptable several separatist parties began to
accommodate the Valley's grassroots settlement between India and Pakistan crumble. Unnerved by the resurrected
discourse. The PDP, which was part of a over Kashmir. The reconfigured relevance of the mainstream parties,
six year rotational coalition government platforms found resonance with separatists have steadily moved
with Congress, focused on improving Kashmiris, and helped consolidated a towards a more pragmatic articulation
governance and security while deftly mainstream mass base in the state. of their demands.
straddling the Valley's mainstream- PDP rule resulted in the rise of a It has become increasingly
separatist political divide. representative political mainstream common to hear talk of flexible
The separatist strand, as embodied with strong indigenous moorings, that solutions to the Kashmir crisis, which
by the likes of the pro-Pakistan Hurriyat responded to local discussion and accommodate changing global realities
Conference, remained important within debate and helped dissipate the ( including India 's r ise on the
Kashmir's political landscape. But pro- accumulated public anger which international stage and Islamabad's
India mainstream parties, particularly decades of political stonewalling had growing willingness to compromise on
PDP, made deep inroads for the first created. The party worked to make the Kashmir ). And one major separatist
time into undermining the political security forces more accountable for Sajjad Lone, hoping to remain relevant,
appeal of the separatists. They their treatment of civilians. It also controversially decided to enter
incorporated much of the agenda of the reined in the dreaded "Special electoral politics, unsuccessfully
separatists, but stopped well short of Operation Group" of the Kashmir police contesting in the recent national
the conventional rhetoric that calls for which was responsible for gross human parliamentary election.
independence from India. PDP was in rights violations in the state. It released The past seven years of the
the forefront of this new politics, a number of detained separatists as part democratic experience in Kashmir -
criticising the much-loathed Armed of its "Healing Touch" policy. Under the albeit still flawed in many respects -
Epilogue Ø 53 × September 2009
Year After Land Row
Assembly elections, Kashmir, November 2009
UMMAJ /V S K A S H M I R
encourages the belief that an made a substantial difference to the more than 60 per cent polling in the
environment of conflict and division affairs of the troubled state. 2008 assembly polls. A democratic
can be improved if a democratic This change was duly noted in the process that has generally made right
o u t l e t i s m a d e a v a i l a b l e . contemporary readings of the poll, and and responsive noises, delivered on
Democratic processes may not a parallel was forged. As Sumeet broad parameters of governance - no
overhaul the fundamental crisis or Ganguly writes in Crisis in Kashmir, "The doubt with some glaring failures now
counter the daily motions of (Punjab) state elections of 1992, which and then - has simultaneously engaged
insurgency and repression, but they followed five years of insurgency and and battled the separatist discourse.
have more subtly softened the direct rule from New Delhi , resulted in This has even caused the separatists to
sources of discord, tempering their extremely low voter turnout but did begin to find their own democratic
intensity. In India's case, Kashmir bring to power a legally constituted moorings and appreciate the new
may not be the only example of the government. The subsequent local ground realities. Now it is incumbent
utility of democracy within conflict. elections produced extra-ordinarily upon India and Pakistan, the state
Seventeen years ago, an election in high turnouts - more than 80 per cent of stakeholders in the conflict, to build on
Punjab - the western Indian state the eligible voters". This is a trajectory these developments and pursue a
that endured an armed, separatist that emerged in Kashmir too, with the meaningful settlement.
Sikh campaign through the 1980s - middling turnout in 2002 polls leading to (Courtesy : Open Democracy)
Epilogue Ø 54 × September 2009
Year After Land Row
NATIONAL MEDIA FELLOWSHIPS PROGRAMME 2009-1015th
Giving Print to the Unheart
Hkkjrh; izfr’BkuNATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR INDIA
The National Foundation for India has a media fellowship Programme for mid-career journalists to research and publish articles and photo essays on a wide range of issues of importance to ordinary Indians, their battle for a better life and covering diverse aspects of gender, social justice and development related issues. This includes Community Health, Elementary Education, Livelihood Security, Local Governance and Peace & Justice.
In addition, fellowships are also awarded to print and photo journalists interest in covering issues of distress seasonal migration and food security, child malnutrition and women’s health.
The fellowship amounts to Rs. 1,00,000/- each. Women journalists and stringers from small local newspapers are encouraged to apply.
The last date for receipt of application is October 15th, 2009
For more information and application guidelines contactNational Media Fellowships
NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR INDIACore 4A, UG Floor, India Habitat Centre, Lodi Road, New Delhi 110 003Phone : 91-11-2464 1864/65, 2464 8490/92, Fax : 91-11-2464 1867Email : [email protected], [email protected], Website : www.nfi.org.in
National Foundation for India is a professional, independent India grant making and fundraising body, helping people improve their own lives. It supports partners who look for innovative solutions to complex development and social problems in poor, remote and challenging parts of the country.
FOR PRINT AND PHOTO JOURNALIST
UMMAJ /V S K A S H M I R
UMMAJ /V S K A S H M I R
Locating CU, IIM
Epilogue Ø 55 × September 2009
People are more concerned over where stablishment of two world-class these institutions are located than what premiere institutions of higher E they deliver and how soon they come learning –the Central University up. Unfortunately the line of division and Indian Institute of Management –are between Kashmir and Jammu regions is two fresh cases where the narrow such an arduous and treacherous high division between regions is coming to mountain that vehicles have to sheer disadvantage of the peoples of exchange sides via an underneath 2.4 Jammu and Kashmir. Based on the kilometers long tunnel –nothing can be recommendations of the Knowledge situated atop this mountain to do an Commission and out of award of the equitable justice between Kashmir and Eleventh Finance Commission, the Jammu and people in one region will Government of India (UPA-I) sanctioned immediately point out injustice if 15 new Central Universities and 7 new anything comes up first on the other Indian Institutes of Management to side. Resolving this crisis is always a come up at different places in the major strategic challenge for the country. In a historic decision, of course political establishment. Soon after CU with the efforts of then Chief Minister and IIM were announced for J&K, it was Ghulam Nabi Azad, Jammu and Kashmir given to understand by then Chief was bestowed upon by one each such Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad that CU shall institution. Indeed, not a small come up in Jammu and IIM in Kashmir. achievement for the state. Though in The announcement was welcomed in matters of faculty recruitment and both regions though with some admission of students, the CU and IIM reservations. As the process of are open to a countrywide jurisdiction establishing CU rolled out, the state but their coming up in any region brings government, for its pre-occupations added advantages of changing mindset elsewhere, delayed identification of of the peoples. Therefore, the sanction land for the purpose and in the of such prestigious institutions for J&K meanwhile the Union Human Resource can be described as best thing to have Ministry appointed a Vice Chancellor of happened to the state in many decades. Kashmir accent and ethnicity. The The problem in Jammu and founder VC Prof Abdul Wahid, as a Kashmir is, however, entirely different.
ZAFAR CHOUDHARY
Game is Lost for Now as ‘Divided we Always Fall’
An age old adage 'united we stand and divided we fall' is something taught to the school children in the early primary classes with a pictorial graphic of a bundle of sticks. The tender buds are quick to understand the logic of staying united but in Jammu and Kashmir even generations do not understand this simple ground rule. Divided, as the peoples are on regional lines between Kashmir and Jammu, they are suffering losses but are still not ready to unite for common causes.
matter of his convenience, set up a Jammu region got its first main CUAS, particularly from the Muslim small establishment office in Srinagar University and Agriculture University dominated four of the ten districts in City to initiate some work on the years after these were established in Jammu region. Therefore, even before University. That was enough an Kashmir. SKIMS and NIIT are exclusive Kashmir Valley counters Jammu's indicator for the CU-watchers in Jammu privileges of Kashmir alone. “Hell is not demand for Central University, there is that the campus is now coming up in going to break loose if newly sanctioned an advanced and quick reaction from Kashmir and thus begins the agitation. Central University is located in Jammu the districts of Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, The state government has, so far, or if first allowed to come up in Jammu Rajouri and Poonch. In Doda district neither clarified nor denied as where it and a similar institute is then alone as many as 35 educational, social, wants to see the Central University to established in Kashmir”, is the common political and religious organizations come up even as much on this account argument in Jammu and is largely valid have come under a single banner to has to be decided by the HRD Ministry of for justice to regional aspirations. The demand the establishment of Central India. There is an obvious reason for approach with which this matter is University in either of the three districts state government's silence on the issue. pursued is grossly wrong and a typical –Doda, Kishtwar or Ramban –that form Keeping two regions pitted against each reflective of Jammu's many failures in the so called Chenab Valley region. other helps the coalition partners the past despite massive agitations. The Given such character and outlook of strengthening their constituencies demand of establishment of Central Central University Andolan Samiti, the –National Conference in Kashmir and University in Jammu has been made by demand coming from Jammu City could
Congress in Jammu. the leaders of the ongoing agitation to have faced a summary rejection at the
completely look like Hindu-centric and very outset if a serious political On locating the campuses of CU
City-centric. Majority of the leaders question of the survival of Congress and IIM, people in Jammu region have a
spearheading agitation have their well party (a partner in J&K's ruling coalition sound argument and a completely
known RSS affiliations and the Central was not involved). Congress and BJP are flawed approach. The argument is:
University Andolan Samiti (CUAS) was the traditional competitors in four name any institution worth naming
until recently headquartered at a Hindu dominated districts of Jammu –Jammu and Kashmir University,
building in Jammu that is called Geeta region –Jammu, Samba, Kathua and Agriculture University, Sher-e-Kashmir
Bhawan, which also houses offices of Udhampur. The Congress feels sitting Institute of Medical Sciences (a deemed
right wing Hindu organizations like idle on the issue it may well further University of repute), NIIT (also a
Bajrang Dal and Vishva Hindu Parishad. loose out ground to the BJP in these deemed University), Engineering
There is no Muslim representative in the districts as it happened during the College –all first came up in Kashmir.
Epilogue Ø 56 × September 2009
The demand of establishment of Central University in Jammu
has been made by the leaders of the ongoing agitation to
completely look like Hindu-centric and City-centric. Majority
of the leaders spearheading agitation have their well known
RSS affiliations and the Central University Andolan Samiti
(CUAS) was until recently headquartered at a building in
Jammu that is called Geeta Bhawan, which also houses offices
of right wing Hindu organizations like Bajrang Dal and
Vishva Hindu Parishad. There is no Muslim representative in
the CUAS, particularly from the Muslim dominated four of
the ten districts in Jammu region
UMMAJ /V S K A S H M I RLocating CU, IIM
Paviter Singh,
a retired Judge,
is Convenor of CUAS.
A s s e m b l y e l e c t i o n s Jammu and Kashmir seems to
fo l l ow ing l a s t yea r ' s have lost a year even on the
Amarnath land row agitation IIM. Latest reports and
when BJP tally shot up from inquiries from the CU officials
one to 11 seats in these in Srinagar suggest that the
districts and Congress lost HRD Ministry has told the Vice
eight seats it had won in Chancellor to go slow on the
2002 elections. Therefore, p r o j e c t . T h e C e n t r a l
the Congress legislators University of J&K has clearly
from Jammu impressed been put on hold and its
upon the Chief Minister to scheduled roll out of three
lead a delegation to the M . P h i l l f a c u l t i e s – i n
Prime Minister and Human Information Technology,
Resource Development Business Management and
Minister. The delegation English Literature –have been
headed by Omar Abdullah, suspended. Recruitment
indeed, made a stupid process has too been halted.
demand: Give us another So is the case with IIM. In
Central University –“one for August 27 meeting of the
Jammu and other for Central Cabinet nod was given
Kashmir”. Though there was to establishment of seven new
no written reply from IIMs (already announced by
Government of India but the HRD Ministry on March 29,
obvious response is easy to 2008) but three of them –one in
understand. Till 2008, India Jammu and Kashmir and two in
could have only 20 Central other states –were put on hold
Universities and 15 were for next year as the respective
added that year. Is it so state government failed to
simple to sanction another identify the suitable locations
for J&K in just one year just as per parameters set by the
to balance the regional HRD Ministry. The same day,
sentiments? state government told the
Legislative Assembly (currently At a time when UPA-II is in session) that it was for HRD just taking control of things Ministry to finalise the land as and is reportedly in process seven locations (three in of making a fresh blueprint Jammu and four in Kashmir) for its Kashmir dialogue were under consideration for p ro jec t , the Cent ra l both CU and IIM. Government appears in no
mood to burn it hands with Recall the adage “united
the regional fire in Jammu we stand and divided we fall”.
and Kashmir which is out to By staying divided for a month,
be doused by the state Jammu and Kashmir has
government. The message is clearly lost an academic year
clear from New Delhi: set of CU and IIM. It is to be seen
your house in order first and whether people can unite to
then lay claim on the CU and finally have both the premiere
IIM. Leave aside having institutions, though year(s)
another Central University, later.
Epilogue Ø 57 × September 2009
Therefore, even before Kashmir Valley counters Jammu's demand for Central University, there is an advanced and quick reaction from the districts of Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Rajouri and Poonch. In Doda district alone as many as 35 educational, social, political and religious organizations have come under a single banner to demand the establishment of Central University in either of the three districts –Doda, Kishtwar or Ramban –that form the so called Chenab Valley region
**********Given such character and outlook of Central University Andolan Samiti, the demand coming from Jammu City could have faced a summary rejection at the very outset if a serious political question of the survival of Congress party (a partner in J&K's ruling coalition was not involved). Congress and BJP are the traditional competitors in four Hindu dominated districts of Jammu region –Jammu, Samba, Kathua and Udhampur. The Congress feels sitting idle on the issue it may well further loose out ground to the BJP in these districts as it happened during the Assembly elections following last year's Amarnath land row agitation when BJP tally shot up from one to 11 seats in these districts and Congress lost eight seats it had won in 2002 elections
**********At a time when UPA-II is just taking control of things and is reportedly in process of making a fresh blueprint for its Kashmir dialogue project, the Central Government appears in no mood to burn it hands with the regional fire in Jammu and Kashmir which is out to be doused by the state government. The message is clear from New Delhi: set your house in order first and then lay claim on the CU and IIM. Leave aside having another Central University, Jammu and Kashmir seems to have lost a year even on the IIM.
UMMAJ /V S K A S H M I RLocating CU, IIM
Epilogue Ø 58 × September 2009
nce again the nasty scenes from
the last years Sri Amarnath land Or o w c o n f r o n t a t i o n a r e
threatening to re-enact themselves on
the socio-political canvass of our state
of Jammu and Kashmir. The conjecture
here is that the replica of the past in the
shape of Central University Andolan
(CUA) might make the present
panorama of this riyasat even scarier
than the previous land row and tenor of
this new disaster a bit redder.
The 2008's controversy was
attributed to vertically splitting the
people of Jammu-Srinagar, Jammu-
Poonch/Kishtwar into racial and
communal lines but this year it might
fulfill the remaining 'kasar'. The civil
society of Kashmir may descend deep
into their cocoon of isolation and
repugnance for India while the people super mega institutions the with state- Kashmir (CUJK) is naturally going to
o f Jammu c ry the bogey o f of-the-art study hubs, taught by radically transform the place on which
discrimination into a new building international faculties and open to it will sit and educationally as well as
block. national as well international socially it is going to have the same
undergraduates are going to have on effect which IIT, Delhi or metro had, The biggest tragedy which has each of the selected 15 geographic that eventually changed the face of compounded the gravity of the scenario locations of India. These Central New Delhi. is the inconsiderate handling of the Universities will also support one issue by the daft politicians from Now, if we look at the voices college each in every district under its Congress as wel l as National emanating from both sides of the domain. Hence, the colossal magnitude Conference. Some of them are Jawahar Tunnel it becomes quite clear of this project in all the terms primarily guilty of propagating and easy to understand that everybody imaginable is not difficult to guess.disinformation amongst the masses and wants CUJK at their respective places.
some of them, secondarily for keep Government of India intends to Reading the two famous dailies
their mouths shut. raise the standard of these universities published from Srinagar and listening to
to same level as we already have in the the voices of locals from Jammu makes A very few people in reality know world famous Jawahar Lal Nehru clear the chasm dividing the two what the format and principal idea University or Delhi University. The habitations. behind Central University is and what Central University of Jammu and kind of ramifications these billion dollar At the same time, both the
ANMOL SHARMA
OPINION
CUAS and the Stillborn Wannabes
Locating CU, IIMUMMAJ /V S K A S H M I R
factions are completely off beam. site for the university was
Article after article in Kashmiri local identified in Samba and
dailies is asserting that Jammu already later it was shifted to
has a very modern SMVDU, Baba Ghulam Srinagar, but the way they
Shah Badshah University, so no need for are protesting is a failed
one more. But they must also realize approach which leads to
that first university in J&K opened in confrontation and no body
Kashmir, first Agricultural University wins.
opened in Kashmir so was the case with The '30-35 years old REC, NIT, Islamic University of Science and still a student' aka and Tech in Awantipora and SKIMS is also ' Pa p p u s ' o f J a m m u a super-specialty Hospital cum university who have not University which is functioning there. been able to pass their Nothing of that sorts happened first in exams and in any ordinary Jammu. Is it not? day would have still sat
Moreover, the then Chief Minister near Sharmaji's canteen or
Ghulam Nabi Azad is on record to say roamed idly around the
that two more Universities in Kashmir- campus are all of sudden
an Islamic University funded by various pinching themselves to
trusts and foundations and Sharda Peeth see if it is really they who
University under the aegis of Sri are coming on local TV
Amarnath Shrine Board will be set up doing press conferences
there. and the various print-
press interviews. It is also On the other hand, Jammu is not a hidden fact that unnecessari ly adopting a very some of them have serious aggressive posture and many politicians criminal charges against of the BJP and allied organizations are them pending in the Court adamant and pressuring the CM to shift of Law. It would not be the site from Srinagar to Jammu. But surprising to know that reading sub-section (5) of section 3 quite few of them might makes clear that it is the Central have even prepared their Government which will select the site of s p e e c h e s t o the Headquarters and they have also to NDTV/CNNIBN.publish it in the Official Gazette. Also if
Central University Act, 2009 is to be Going berserk on
followed then the Chancellor, VC etc are streets, shouting abuses,
to be appointed under section 10, 11 damaging public/private
respectively by the “Visitor” i.e., the property, demeaning the
President of India herself. Omar is Government or the Chief
nowhere at the scene here. So why are Minister or for that matter
people not told about this. calling for bandh which
hits the poor badly are all It is probable that keeping the exercises which were masses unaware helps the hardliner and tried last year and yielded separatist of Srinagar in the furthering no good in the end. The the alienist agenda in Kashmir and way of protesting which labeling the government as pro-Kashmir reciprocates a civilized helps communal forces of Jammu in society would be to their 'I told you so' stance. Every person protest in a decent of Jammu has cause for concern if the
Epilogue Ø 59 × September 2009
What is a Central University?While other universities in the country are
established by the State Governments, a Central
University in India is formed by the Government
of India, by an Act of Parliament. The
Government of India is responsible for
arranging, allocating and distributing financial
resources required by the University Grants
Commission (UGC) for the establishment of
Central Universities in India. Currently there are
20 Central Universities functioning in India and
15 others are coming up.
The higher education system in India being
one of the largest in the world, the responsibility
rests on the Central Government to devise
policies with a view to improving the quality of
higher education in the country. Improving the
quality and access of higher education and
research in India has become all the more
important keeping in view the growing need of
qualified human resources in various sectors of
the economy. Therefore it can only be hoped that
there would be more central universities in India
in the immediate future.
Since the State Governments establish and
plan for the colleges and universities in the states
and the Central Government does it for the
Central Universities, it is essential that there is
adequate cooperation between the State
Governments and the Central Government in the
field of higher education. The Central Advisory
Board of Education (CABE) has therefore been
constituted to assist in the functioning of the two
Governments and ensure that parity is
maintained.
The Central Government has also been
empowered by a special act of the Constitution
to maintain a particular standard conducive to
the educational health of the country. The
Central Government lays special emphasis on
research and development carried out in
technical as well as other institutions.
UMMAJ /V S K A S H M I RLocating CU, IIM
manner. Petitions should be sent to the
President of India who herself is the
“Visitor” of the central university and
all the matter are under her direct
control. Similarly there can be other
modes of protesting which can be
adopted by the students but in all
respects playing at the hands of the
conniving politicians would be like
fighting a battle which is already lost.
If the bigger picture is to be
comprehended then to a strategic
Analyst of RAW or any department of a could happen. Kashmiris as a matter of that they are becoming more university observing the fact that a fact are living in a closed environment sophisticated in their thoughts, speak diehard anti India newspaper is without a touch of outside world in the English and act proficiently in their encouraging articles which directly sense that they have no opportunity behavior while riding the metro.demand that a university sponsored, mixing with non-muslims or non- The best deal would be to set up controlled and financed by the kashmiris. All the time a single thought two CUJK's, one in Jammu and other in Government of India should be set up in of oppressive India is echoing their Srinagar, and is in consonance with what Kashmir would definitely make him minds. Mr. Pavitar Singh of CUAS said in one jump from his chair. It would be a great If they can come out of their newspaper “…Government should first strategic win for India if such a thing slumber and realize that any establish the already sanctioned
ordinary civilian in UP, Central University at Samba and then
Punjab etc is also the victim explore the possibility of having Central
of the rotten system then University at Kashmir.”
perhaps they can start This makes nobody feel neglected identifying themselves with and economy of the both the regions others too. This world class gets a sonic boost.university will also bring with New Cus coming up in : Bihar, it students and teachers Gujarat, Haryana, HP, Jharkhand, from different parts of India Karnataka, Kerala, Orissa, Punjab, and world, it will also bring Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and J&K.great exposure and open the The author, is lawyer by minds that will make the education and practice is a local students of Kashmir dispassionate commentator also.u n d e r s t a n d d i f f e r e n t
viewpoints. It would not be a
churlish to say that it might
to do India what East India
Co. did to UK but in a good
sense of regaining the lost
faith of Kashmiris.
Just like one professor
of Columbia University did a
research on Metro of New
Delhi and he described in
great detail how the metro is
effecting change in the
mindsets of Delhiites and
Epilogue Ø 60 × September 2009
Some of the special features of Central Universities are -ÄThe President of India acts as the 'Visitor' for all the Central Universities
ÄThe President has the power to nominate a few members to the Executive
Committee/Board of Management/Court/Selection Committees of the
University in terms of the various statutes and provisions laid down in the
University Act.
ÄThe Ministry of Human Resources and Development (MHRD) assists the
President of India in the appointment of Vice Chancellors, Court Nominees
and Selection Committee Nominees.
Existing CUsÄAligarh Muslim University
ÄAssam University
ÄBanaras Hindu University
ÄBabasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University
ÄEnglish and Foreign Languages University
ÄIndraprastha University
ÄJamia Millia Islamia University
ÄManipur University
ÄMaulana Azad National Urdu University
ÄDelhi University
ÄMahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi
Vishwavidyalaya
ÄMizoram University
ÄNagaland University
ÄNorth Eastern Hill University
ÄPondicherry University
ÄTezpur University
ÄUniversity of Allahabad
ÄUniversity of Hyderabad
ÄVisva-Bharati University
ÄJawaharlal Nehru University
UMMAJ /V S K A S H M I RLocating CU, IIM
AEF T U R E S
Changpas of Ladakh
Epilogue Ø 61 × September 2009
n Ladakh's portion of the Tibetan
Plateau where temperatures in Iwinter plunge to a sub-zero and the
bare mountainous terrain makes any
movement difficult, the nomadic
inhabitants, the Changpas represent a
unique way of life. Over hundreds of
years, this has allowed them to meet
the challenge of survival through the
institution of 'polyandrous' and not the
more conventional 'monogamous'
marriages.
The children are borne out of
wedlock between one child-bearing
woman and several men, all brothers,
the most famous historical example
being Draupadi. In Ladakh, these many
Draupadis are in a sense the core
strength of the Changpas each family
which owns a large herd of livestock
including sheep, goats, yaks and horses,
which they graze on the vast
mountainous expanse of the Chang- tightly knit together to meet the sustain their levels of income from the
thang. This involves moving the animals challenge. sale of wool and of animals for meat,
throughout the year across a variety of However sparse pastures of low which is becoming insufficient to meet
grazing areas and requires efficient nutritive value prevent families from family needs. What is at stake here is management and high levels of increasing herd size while the family the traditional practice of polyandry cooperation between family members. size relying on livestock has grow. This among the Changpa, which has been of The rugged terrain, limited pastures has led to competition among the significant and practical economic and winter chill makes the family unit families for animal grazing space to importance. Through this it has been
TASHI MORUP
Changpa Tribe’s Identity,Way of Life Under Threat
Tribal communities all over the world are now being acknowledged as playing a crucial role in sustaining natural
resources and protecting the environment. This is simply because unlike urban centers or even agrarian
communities, they live off the produce that nature provides and not cultivated. The fishing communities, forest
dwellers or adivasis, the nomads, the herdsmen all play a role in upholding a way of life that does not strip the
environment of its regenerative power. This, however, is under severe challenge for Changpas of Ladakh where
an enlightened governance is needed to prevent degeneration of a robust mountainous community.
possible for single families to sustain They take turns grazing the young goats mature deliveries. Due to timely
large herds of livestock, requiring as and sheep on alternate days. The two medical help at a hospital in Leh, a
they do, extensive manpower for their fathers Phuntsog and Delden, likewise fourth child survived. During this period
control. It has also been a very practical take turns in grazing the 'demos' or of illness the family had no one to look
way of restricting population growth. female yaks, while mother Skalzang after its livestock, resulting in Sanghe
The break-down of such joint looks after the home. The whole losing his yaks and horses to wolves.
f am i l i e s due to i n c rea s i ng l y household was completely thrown out He among many of the other Changpa
monogamous marriages, has not only of gear when after a long illness who have left the Chang-thang, has
resulted in a considerable increase in Phuntsog lost the use of his legs. Deldan been reduced to buying raw goatskins
the population, but has left the new then walked for several days across the from butchers in Leh, instead of
nuclear famil ies lacking shearing his own animals. From
suf f i c ient manpower to a proud owner of livestock in a
efficiently deal with their region where his ancestors
livestock, which can range from roamed, he has to work as a day
200 to 500 head per family. labourer to feed his small
Whilst families in other herding family of three and to send his
societ ies might turn to 10-year -old son to school.
employing additional help, the Tribal communities all
economic circumstances of life over the world are now being
on the Chang-thang do not acknowledged as playing a
permit what for these families crucial role in sustaining
would be an impossible luxury. n a t u r a l r e s o u r c e s a n d
According to an official in protecting the environment.
the Leh District land records This is simply because unlike
office, revenue record indicate urban centers or even agrarian
that the initial number of only communities, they live off the
eight households in Kharnak has produce that nature provides
now increased to 93. According and not cultivated. The fishing
to the 1993 census carried out communities, forest dwellers
by the Leh Nutrition Project or adivasis, the nomads, the
(LNP), the community at that herdsmen all play a role in
time consisted of 67 families, upholding a way of life that
indicating an increase of 26 does not strip the environment
families in just a decade. As the of its regenerative power.
culture of polyandry declines, T h i s n e e d s t o b e
more families are splitting up respected and they need a snowbound Chang-thang and over the
with the men finding wives. guiding hand to steer them and if 5,600m Taglang-la to reach Leh for
Even in normal times, the few necessary steady them amidst the help. An army rescue helicopter went
surviving families are stretched to their inevitable winds of change in social, out to find Phuntsog, and ferried him to
limits in just dealing with day-to-day economic and environmental processes Leh where he was hospitalised for several
life. This gets exacerbated during that affect them. This necessarily needs months. This small unit was able to
crises like illness and brings to fore, the enlightened governance. It would be a survive Phuntsog's absence by somehow
abominable state of health facilities for shame if we let such a proud and robust pitching in to collectively share his tasks.
this brave and robust community. 25 mountainous community degenerate Others have not been so lucky.
year old Dolma Chondol and her monk into a compromised existence on the Sanghe Palzang (43) in Kharnak was
brother Jigmet Chonjor, age 21 years fringes of society. struck with paralysis for three years and
belong to a smaller polyandrous family. Charkha Featureshis wife Ishey Dolma suffered pre-
Epilogue Ø 62 × September 2009
What is at stake here is the traditional
practice of polyandry among the Changpa,
which has been of significant and practical
economic importance. Through this it has
been possible for single families to sustain
large herds of livestock, requiring as they do,
extensive manpower for their control. It has
also been a very practical way of restricting
population growth. The break-down of such
joint families due to increasingly
monogamous marriages, has not only resulted
in a considerable increase in the population,
but has left the new nuclear families lacking
sufficient manpower to efficiently deal with
their livestock, which can range from 200 to
500 head per family.
AEF T U R E SChangpas of Ladakh
Epilogue Ø 63 × September 2009
s we strolled along the Abi-Guzar
bund on the bank of river Jhelum Awe caught a glimpse of a shop -
“Fine Art Furriers”. This struck us as
strange since we know that Fur has been
banned a long time back under the Wild
Life Protection Act 1978. The term
'furriers' clearly applies to a person or
organisation, which sources, and
markets furs In the current context,
how was it possible that such a shop
exists in Kashmir? Peeping through the
window pane what we see is a
septuagenarian man stitching a leather
coat, his frail hands moving effortlessly
over the garment. A while later we are
in conversation with this old man who
uncannily seems has been waiting for
many years for us to come, to share his
woes.
Gulam Hassan Pandit, with a frown
on his face and a stiffening of his body
initially hesitates to speak to us. It
almost seems as if he feels betrayed.
The first thing that he tells us is that yearning for a time when life was full of the name of the shop he says , “The shop many people have interviewed him in hope. The fur jackets hanging around has a history of more than 98 years and the past but his words and feelings have are the testimonial of the fact that this that the name was given almost 51 years always been misrepresented. old man has dealt with fur business, back, when the fur business existed.” Glancing round the shop, we see which has all but closed down. After the prohibition on Fur, he has now that the shop is quite messy, with the
While there is a hesitancy to open taken to the leather business which leather jackets scattered all over the up, there also is an eagerness to talk, though has not showed any progress in floor, the walls are cracked and a dirty share his experiences. Responding Jammu & Kashmir. The reasons are mannequin dressed gorgeously in long quickly to a spontaneous question about manifold. According to the statistics, fur jacket. There is pathos in the air, a
BINISH GULZAR & SYED RAKSHANDA SUMAN
The Fur Traders and The Lost Avenues
Kashmir has a place of its own in the Fur trade before it was banned in 1978 rendering hundreds of artisans jobless. The next best thing the furries could have done was the leather work which too is dying due to official apathy.
AEF T U R E S
Changpas of Ladakh
Kashmir Leather Industry has a Kashmir however pushes up the leather shop has already taken up a new
potential to generate revenue of $ 1 production costs and on the other hand business. Few of them have begun to
billion, annually, but unfortunately this forces local artisans and traders to sell shift to other states to earn their
industry is losing its niche. Says Gulam these products at a very low price to livelihood. There are several others
Hassan, “Since we don't have leather t r a d e r s o u t s i d e t h e s t a t e . with a similar tale like Gulam Hassan
factories here, we have to import the Environmentalists have always been and Mehrajuddin. All the people who
raw material from Chennai and other against setting up tanneries in Kashmir, dealt with fur had to abandon the work
states of country at a very high cost as it produces highly toxic effluents. in the wake of the ban imposed by the
every year”. Therefore, the government. Sadly those who
production of the leather took to the leather business may
products has reached its have to leave it in the light of
minimum level. Our artisans are government apathy. An industry
famous all around the globe, the that is well suited to the region
reason being that most of our and could provide livelihoods to
products are handmade and thousands within Kashmir is
foreigners in large numbers are gradually being snuffed out.
attracted to these. He informs us If the leather industry has
that more than 5000 Kashmiri shown the potential to generate
artisans are working with various huge revenue annually for the
leather industries outside J&K state's economy, then what is
because of their proven superior stopping the government to
craftsmanship. After a long pause revive and boost this home-
he says “If they can generate grown industry? Why is it only
value for the whole country, why concerned with the raging
no t f o r ou r own s t a t e , political issues and controversies
Government is doing nothing for and turning a blind eye to the
us”. Because of the neglect by the developmental needs of the
state government, the industry people? With an environment for
loses billions every year. the raw material already in place
Warming up to the subject, and a pool of local craftsmen and
he tells us that sheep leather is traders, it needs to take the step
the highest quality leather and to set up tanneries here so that
because of its climatic conditions entrepreneurs like Gulam Hassan
Kashmir provides one of the best and others of his ilk do not need
environments for this leather. to waste their resources at
Expanding on the theme, he goes sourcing leather from other
on to say that since Kashmiris states at a high price. The fur
consume meat voraciously and industry is long gone, a relic of The answer to this could have come statistics reveals that on an average 3.5 the past, one that is clearly out of sync from the Government, which is not million sheep and goat are slaughtered with current thought on society and showing any interest in setting of an ETP annually for our consumption, the skin environment. The leather business does (Effluent Treatment Plant). This could can be utilised for production of leather not carry this burden and can grow into have solved the problem and pacified provided there are tanneries. The a profitable activity for many Kashmiris. the green lobby.absence of tanneries is pushing the The onus is squarely on the government
Tired of the official apathy, many artisans to work outside the state and so that a promising industry like the aspiring businessmen have already traders to seel the skins as throw away leather business does not sink into given up and many like trader, prices. atrophy. Mehrajuddin who used to have his own The absence of a tannery in Charkha Features
Epilogue Ø 64 × September 2009
Leather Industry has a potential to
generate revenue of $ 1 billion, annually,
but unfortunately this industry is losing its
niche.
*******
More than 5000 Kashmiri artisans are
working with various leather industries
outside J&K because of their proven
superior craftsmanship.
*******
Since Kashmiris consume meat voraciously
and statistics reveals that on an average
3.5 million sheep and goat are slaughtered
annually for our consumption, the skin can
be utilised for production of leather
provided there are tanneries. The absence
of tanneries is pushing the artisans to
work outside the state and traders to seel
the skins as throw away prices.
AEF T U R E SChangpas of Ladakh
Epilogue Ø 65 × September 2009
remains a distant dream... he more-than 60-years-old tug of For the women of Kashmir, the war between India and Pakistan T impact of the tragedy has been doubly over the mountain state of
fatal, as they have not just borne the Jammu & Kashmir has resulted in wrath of the conflict but have also been tremendous destruction, preventing treated as objects of use and both countries from realising their full amusement, both by the militants and socio-economic and political potential. the Indian security forces. Over the Other than the loss of human lives, the years, the women have tried hard to c a s u a l t i e s h a v e b e e n t r u s t , douse the fires of the violence, brotherhood, and, to a large extent, the simultaneously keeping the fires in their entire ethos of Kashmiriyat.houses burning. Each has emerged a While the men from Indian-winner in her own right, though administered-Kashmir have crossed somewhat bruised and shattered. over to Pakistan-administered-Kashmir
The image of Kashmiri women has to receive training in arms, and have changed drastically over the last few come back to 'liberate' their motherland decades. In the early Nineties, from India, the women have been at the newspapers were splashed with forefront of protests and rallies, and images of burqa-clad women flocking have provided psycho-social support to the streets of Srinagar in protests for their men folk. In turn, the men have one thing or the other. For the been killed and the women have borne numerous mothers, wives, sisters and the brunt of it in the form of the most daughters in Jammu and Kashmir, gruesome violations. 'Azaadi', however,
MANISHA SOBHRAJANIAuthor is a Delhi-based independent researcher working on the various aspects of the Kashmir conflict. She can be reached at [email protected])
Kashmir ki kali... bruised and shattered
C O L U M N
Reports from Ground
negotiating space for their men-folk population was allegedly raped in the men. During the seven-year waiting
during the two-decade-long conflict initial years of insurgency. period, the women's rights to their
has become a way of life, whether it is husbands ' property are often Dardpora, the village of widows, taking up the issue of missing sons and threatened.in Kupwara district, is nestled in the husbands or hiding militants in their mountains, and is very close to the Kunan Poshpora was raided on 23-homes. Kashmiri women have been Line of Control (LoC) between India 24 February 1990, by soldiers from the
thtargeted both by the militants as well and Pakistan. Almost all the men-folk 4 Rajputana Rifles, during a counter-as security forces, and have borne in the village have been killed either in insurgency operation. Women were more than their share of the brunt of fratricidal wars or by the Indian mass-raped, and the village was nick-the political unrest. security forces in the early years of named as the 'village of raped women'
Sexual exploitation has been a key militancy. Those who haven't been after the incident got highlighted in the
feature in Kashmiri women's lives in the killed have gone 'missing', and their international media. Till date, most
past 18 years. Indian security forces and women from the village remain
militant forces in Kashmir have been unmarried because of the stigma
using rape to punish, intimidate, attached to this gruesome violation of a
coerce, humiliate, and degrade their woman's body.
female victims. The psychological toll This is the village and the women of rape includes anxiety, depression, on whom video films have been made, nightmares, social phobias, physical where numerous national and complaints, and post traumatic stress international teams have gone, where disorder (PTSD). George Verghese conducted an
One of the impacts of the investigation for the Press Council of
protracted armed conflict has been the India, spent 15 minutes, and concluded
increasing number of widows and half- that no rape had taken place because
widows, and the shockingly increasing the raped girls had been laughing. The
number of women who have been Press Council of India dismissed the
physically violated by the personnel of allegations of the victims, while their
the armed forces. Thousands of women medical reports were withheld. The
are going through an identity crisis report said that when investigators
owing to the phenomenon of enforced went to Kunan Poshpora to find out if
disappearances, which leads them to the mass rape had actually taken place,
the status of half-widows (whose they found that all the women were
husband's death is not ascertained). For giggling and laughing. This led them to
such women, each day begins with the believe that such a heinous crime like
hope of their men returning, and ends in rape could not have been committed
despair. The armed conflict has also there, or else the women would not wives are called 'half-widows'! What affected women physically. have been laughing!remains in this village is women and In Kashmir's troubled history of the The question of the future of children. Widowhood has become the past 15 years, two villages have grabbed raped women, widows and half-dominant marker of these women in newspaper headlines but little by way widows presents a challenge to the Dardpora. of help out of their predicament. Both Azaadi movement. These issues have
Needless to say, the widows are Dardpora and Kunan Poshpora fall in the not gained the attention of the leaders harassed by the security forces and the border district of Kupwara, situated on who seemed to be concerned about militants, not to mention the daily the Line of Control in the north of the everything else. The civil society, too, struggle of having to fend for state. While Dardpora has the dubious leaves a lot to be desired. Though themselves and their children. The distinction of being the 'Village of there is no lack of sympathy for Indian government does not provide any Widows' because there aren't many men Kashmiri women, but building a local relief to half-widows before seven years left, Kunan Poshpora's plight came to support structure requires organized from the date of disappearance of their the fore when its entire female effort.
Epilogue Ø 66 × September 2009
Thousands of women are
going through an identity
crisis owing to the
phenomenon of enforced
disappearances, which leads
them to the status of half-
widows (whose husband's
death is not ascertained).
For such women, each day
begins with the hope of their
men returning, and ends in
despair. The armed conflict
has also affected women
physically.
C O L U M NReports from Ground
C O L U M N
History
Epilogue Ø 67 × September 2009
construction and their maintenance as orts were one of the most the most powerful measure of the e f f e c t i v e a n d p o p u l a r F defence of their own empire. Kautilya's components of the defence Arthashastra records four types of forts measures of India during ancient and such as water or river fort (audaka or medieval period. The construction of nadi durga), mountain fort (Parvata fort was understood one of the Durga), desert fort (dhanvana durga) dominant features of the state and forest fort (vana durga). Some formation and its strength. The other literature of the ancient India archaeological remains of the different mention six to eight kinds of forts. The parts of India show that fort maintenance of the forts by the rulers of construction had become one of the the early medieval India is mentioned main duties of the ruling class, since by the Turkish historians of the they exist in all states of ancient and Sultanate of Delhi. The Turkish medieval India. It could be either the historians' works show that they were Mauryan rulers such as Chndragupta very much impressed by the Rajput forts Maurya or Ashoka of ancient India or the
th thth th of the 12 and 13 centuries northern Mughal rulers of 16 and 17 century India. Hasan Nizami, a court historian of A.D., all of them treated forts
PROF JIGAR MOHAMMEDAuthor is Professor of History at University of Jammu. He is associated with Epilogue as Editorial Adviser on History of Jammu and Kashmir. He can be reached at [email protected]
History of Forts in Jammu Hills
Aerial view of Bahu Fort
Qutubuddin Aibak (1206-10) and lofty mountain, and surrounded by a to keep these route secure. One of the
Shamsuddin Iltutmish (1210-36) has all wide moat boundless like an ocean, its most effective security measures was
praise for the some of the Rajput forts ramparts were high that even fast flying the construction new fort and
of the north India. Describing the falcon could not soar over them, and its maintenance of the old forts.
strength and attraction of Delhi fort on battlements were invisible to the naked However, in the Jammu hills
the eve of the Turkish invasion, Hasan eye of someone watching them from the construction and maintenance of writes, “ As the imperial flags (May God the ground.” The forts of Kol, Gwalior forts were understood as the most
keep them aloft) reached Delhi, the and Kalinjer are also find huge space in ef fect ive means of both the 9 first thing to be visible was the rampart Hasan Nizami's work. maintenance the sovereignty of the
of the fort, which, like the dignity of the ruling king and maintenance of law and The contemporary sources of king, rose higher than the top of the order in the region. Since the states of both the Sultanate of Delhi and Mughal Saturn, while to foundations were as Jammu hills were closely linked with empire given considerable space in strong as the basis of the great empire. both the Punjab and Kashmir, their terms of their location, their use for The Engineer of the reason was unable rulers were conscious of the security security purpose and historical to attempt its mensuration, and measures of their states. It is evident background and maintenance. observers of eyes had not seen the like from the fact that the modern Jammu Moreover the ruling dynasties of of it in the length and breadth of the region was studded with the forts during medieval India treated the construction whole world. From its top the condition the medieval period. Recently, Shiv of the fort as one of their prerogatives of the cluster of Pleiades in the casket Nirmohi, a historian Jammu, made a and parts of their cultural life. For of the skiy could be seen, and the true survey of the forts of Jammu and security measures the Sultans of Delhi form of the chess-piecesof the stars on produced detailed study on the forts of generally repaired and constructed
the white chess-board on the firmament Jammu. .forts on major routes. Sultan could be observed at close quarters.” It Ghiyasuddin Balban built a fort at The remains of the forts of
is important to mention that when Gopalgir to strengthen security of Delhi Jammu hills show that the ruling 10Shibuddin Muhammad Ghori attacked against Meos menace. Similarly, he dynasties of the region had associated
Delhi its ruler was Prithiviraj Chauhan. built forts at Kampil, Patiali and the construction and maintenance of The fort of Meerut attracted the Bhojpur to supress the robbers and the forts with their socio-political life.
attention of Hasan and it strength rebels.More importantly, Balban got the They treated forts as symbol of their inspired him to pen down its military fort of Lahore reconstructed to defend their political grandeur. Though during significance. Describing its strategical north-west frontier the Mangol the medieval period all the ruling
12importance and the Turkish imvasion on dynasties of India treated forts as the menace. Abul Fazl's Ain-i-Akbari it Hasan Nizami writes: “…the fort of prime mover of their military activities, records the forts of the Mughal empire Merut…is the famous fort of this the existence of large number of forts in at the Pargana level. It is important to celebrated city, well known for the Jammu hill states establish that besides mention that the sources of the Mughal firmness of its foundation and the military strength of a state, forts were empire not only mention the forts builts strength of its pillars, a company of the major architectural activities of the by the Mughal ruling class, but also built soldiers (Turkish), reputed for their region. Shiv Nirmohi's Duggar ke Durg by the local rulers. It is well establilshed matchless valour and remarkable consists of the description of 128 forts. fact that Punjab was the region devotion to duty started the hostilities. It is understood that construction of the through which generally the foreign Awe-struck by the valour of the king in forts became a major security measure invaders, particularly Cental Asian, the battle-field, the inmates of the fort in Jammu hills from early eleventh Iranian and Afghans, endagered the
found themselves in a miserable century onwards. Frederic Drew security of India during the Sultanate condition, and when it came to actual witnessed a series of the forts in the and Mughal period. Since different fighting they realised that they were Jammu hills in the nineteenth century. trade routes of Punjab were utterly helpless before the royal troops. His findings show that most of the forts instrumental in maintaining trade Thus was captured the impregnable of Jammu hills were constructed by the commerce between India and foreign fort, an inaccessible stronghold, the indigenous ruling dynasties. According countries, the rulers like Sher Shah and ramprts of which firm and solid like a to him, “All over the low hills, on both Mughal emperors took various measures
Epilogue Ø 68 × September 2009
C O L U M NHistory
sides of the Chinab, they (forts) are in built before eleventh century. The of these states. It is evident from their
extraordinary number. They were built Mughal sources from Akbar's period policy of making alliance with the
at the time when each little tract had its onwards give information about Jammu Rajput rulers of Jammu hill states from
own ruler, and each ruler had to defend hill forts in better way than other Akbar's period onwards. One of the most
himself against his neighbour. These sources. effective security measures of the
forts are commonly on the summit of Mughals was to construct forts at Abul Fazl records some of the
some rocky hill, with naturally scarped strategic places of the Jammu hills. It is forts existing in Jammu hills. Jammu
face; by their position, and by the way an established fact that generally the fort has been shown as the biggest fort
they were planned, they are well Mughal emperors visited Kashmir from of the region. He mentions Jammu fort
protected against escalcade. Though the period of its annexation to the constructed on the top of the hill with th Mughal empire in 1586-87 onwards. now (second half of the 19 century) huge army. This fort is shown with 1000
They followed the route of Rajouri and they have all come into the hands of one cavalry and 20000 infantry. Manhas are 22 Punch. To strengthen the security of this ruler, they are still kept up, that is so far shown as the rulers of Jammu. Abul
route Akbar constructed a fort at that a small garrison-may be only of a Fazl's description of the establishment Naushahra. Alberuni's account shows dozen men- is kept in each. Some of the of the Mughal sovereignty in Jammu
that a fort of Loharakotta was built in most kown are Mangla, on the Jhelam; under Akbar shows that Jammu fort was Punch by its rulers in early medieval Mangal Dev, near Naushahra; and Troch, treated as the main source of the
period. The fort of Loharkotta is known near Kotli; these are each on the defence of the state. Consequently, the to be gate way to Kashmir during the summit on a rocky preciptous hill most Mughal army besieged the Jammu fort
medieval period. difficult of access.” Frederic Drew's to compel the ruler of Jammu for the 23mention is concerned with the areas of The tradition of constructing acceptance of the Mughal sovereignty.
east and west of the Chinab river, which forts for defence purpose and as a Mankot state of Jammu hills has been consisted of Basoli or Bilawar, Mankot or symbol of political grandeur were shown with four forts by the Ain-i-
24 R a m k o t , R a m n a g a r, A k h n u r, continued by the rulers of the Jammu Akbari. It also shows that there was 30 BhimbarRajouri ant Punch etc. Though hill stated till nineteenth century. It is cavalry and 1200 infantry soldiers in
history of these forts in chronological understood that the fort of Mahoregarh Mankot state, and the ruling class order is not known because of the was also built during fifteenth or belonged to the Manhas clan of the
25absence of indigenous historical source sixteenth century. The fort of Rajput. Mankot is known as Ramkot in in the hills, non-indigenous sources, Kapurgarh was built in the sixteenth modern period. It ia understood that particularly Mughal sources, attest the century by Raja Kapur Dev (1530-71), the ruling dynasty of Mankot was an
historiocity of these sources. the ruler of Jammu. The fort of Dansal offshoot from Jammu and it started to was built by one of the sons of Raja It is an established fact that be known as Mankotia.It is said that
Kapur Dev during the sixteenth century. the Mangol invader Timur invaded Manak-Dev, a descendant of the ruling The fort of Samba or Nandini Durg was Jammu in 1398-99. When he wrote his family of Jammu founded the Mankot
built in early medieval period. The fort autobiography or Memoirs he state and build a fort there. Jasrota was of Lakhanpur also belongs to the incorported some places, structures another important state of Jammu hills medieval period. It is understood to and topographical features. It is which finds mention in the Ain-i-Akbari.
have been built by its ruler Sangram Dev important to mention that his It is shown with 400 cavalry and 5000 thautobiography is the first literary source during the 14 century. According to infantry soldiers and Malanhas (Manhas)
which mention the nomenclature Hutchinson and Vogel, “The alternative as the ruling family. Abul Fazl menions Jammu. When Timur invaded he Jammu name (of Lakhanpur) was Thain as found the existence of a fort in Jasrota in the
he found a fort in Jammu in which the in some of the records, from the name Akbarnama. Though Abul Fazl mentions ruling king of Jammu resided. This of a strong fort on a lofty cliff it a small fort, the remains of a this fort
shows that Jammu had a strong overhanging the right bank of the Ravi, show that it was a big fort constructed tradition of the maintenance of the fort where the Rajas seem often to have by its own ruler. Since Jammu hill states
during the medieval period. For, resided.” The Ain-i-Akbari mentions were buffer states between Kashmir Hutchison and Vogel the oldest fort of Lakhanpur as Lakhnor. The forts of and Punjab, the Mughal emperors were
Jammu was the Bahu fort, which was Bilawar and Bhadu were constructed very much concerned with the security
Epilogue Ø 69 × September 2009
C O L U M NHistory
during medieval period. Though exact up to nineteenth century. Mian Gulab Chinab) and hills of Kishtwar to check
dates of their construction are not Singh contributed to the expansion of the advancement of the Mughal army.
availvable, these states find mention in this fort and constructed an entrance Jahangir also appreciates the
the Ain-i-Akbari. According to it, gate and a wall for making it stronger specilization of the Kishtwaris in rope
Bhadu's military strength was very and more secured in the early bridge building, which was very useful small. It consisted of 30 cavalry and nineteenth century. The fort of for defence purpose. Regarding the
1200 infantry. Its zamindars belonged to Sanalkot at village Pauni, district expertise of the Kishtwaris in rope Jat and Bandwal castes. The military Udhampur was constucted during early building Jahangir writes, “From the…
strength of Bilawar state was also small. medieval period. It is known as one of river (the Maru) to the Chinab, which
During the sixteenth century 50 cavalry the oldest forts of the Jammu hills. strong support to these unfortunate
and 3000 infantry were maintained by According to the folk tradition it was people (Kishtwaris), is a distance of two 40 built by a king Shalbahan. Ganeshdas bow-shots, and on the bank of Chenab its ruler. The fort of Sunderikot in
Badehra quotes an oral tradition about there is a lofty hill. The crossing of the Bilawar Tahsil, Kathua district seems to th the coming of Raja Shalbahan to Pauni water is a difficult matter, and, with a have been built in the 17 century.
from Sialkot. According to it, “…during view to the coming and going of people According to the folk tradition, it was
the last days of his life Raja Shalbahan on foot, they attach strong ropes, and built by the rulers of Bhadwal for the
left Sialkot and came to the hills near place planks of the width of a cubit shelter of the people during the natural 41 Pauni and founded a city on the spur of a between two ropes, and fasten one calamity. The fort of Kohag or Mandali
mountain on the bank of Chinab river rope's and fasten one rope's Zampa in was built in the late sixteenth or early th and named it Sanalkot. He took his the language of the people of the hill 17 century. It was built by the ruler of
residence on the peak of that country.”the Bandralta state for the protection of mountain.” The fort of Battal seems to The forts of Jammu hills not the frontier of his state. The fort of
thhave been constructed during the 17 only strengthened the military power of Thial in Tahsil Ramnagar, district century. the states concerned, but they also Udhampur, was constructed in the last
b e c a m e i n s t r u m e n t a l i n t h e The fort of Kishtwar was one of the most decade the sixteenth century.
flourishment of the building industries. famous and oldest forts of the Jammu According to an inscription of a well,
Moreover, with the construction of the hills. It is understood that it was built situated outside the fort, it was built in
forts, the rulers of Jammu hills during the seventh or eighth century A.D Samvat 1541. A oral tradition tells that
enhanced the historical importance of . by the successors of the Raja Kahn it was built by one Thial Singh, a 49 their states. Though ruling dynasties jagirdar of Bandralta state. The fort of Sen , the founder of the Kishtwar state.
emerged and declined, the forts Landar was built in the village Landar, in K a l h a n , t h e a u t h o r o f t h e
constructed by them speak of their modern district of Udhampur. It is Rajatarangini, mentions Kishtwar as
existence and constructive activities. understood that it was built in the Kashtvata. Abul Fazl mentions Kishtwar
The remains of these forts in Jammu seventeenth century by the Butiyal as one of the important regions of the th 50 region tell the story of the security kings. Therefore, it is also called the 16 century India. The Mughal
measures taken by the ruling classes for fort of Bhutiyal. The mention of the empreror Jahangir was very impressed the protection of the interests of their Bhutiyal state is found in the Ain-i- with the expertise of the Kishtwaris in own states. These forts are living Akbari. According to it, Bhutiyal state military affairs and the popularity of its heritage of the Jammu region. These was situated in sarkar of the Bari Doab, ruler. He found that the Kishtwar army forts also tell that the ruling classes of Suba Lahore. Its ruling class has been used its topographical features, Jammu were followers of the work mentioned as the Bhutiyalah. Its specially hills and rivers for defending culture. The existence of these forts military strength was 30 cavalry and its territory against the outside
establishes that construction was the 1000 infantry. The fort of Bhimgarh, invasion. Even Jahangir's army received major trend of the Jammu hills during situated in Riasi state, about sixty four tough resistence from the Kishtwaris ancient and medieval period, k.m. from Jammu, was built by Bhim, a when it attacked Kishtwar for the obstruction and destruction were not local chief of the area during medieval e s tab l i shment o f the Mugha l appreciated socio-politically in Jammu period. It was used very effectively for sovereignty there. For Jahangir, the hills. military purpose by the rulers of Jammu Kishtwaris used both rivers (Maru and
Epilogue Ø 70 × September 2009
C O L U M NHistory
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HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT
vRaised from Rs.
35 lakh to Rs. 50
lakh. Modified
guidance to be
issued.
MLAs Constituency
Development Fund enhanced
vSSRB has made 8086 selections. PSC has made 438 selections, Police has made 3835 selections.vPosts created - 11.163vPosts referred - 5060 to PSC and SSB, 7035 to Police Recruitment Board.vAnother about 7000 class IV posts to be filled soonvContractual; Adhoc, consolidated salary appointment to be made regularised if 7 years of such service completed and
the incumbents and academically qualified to hold the jobs.vAll districts to have Employment and Counseling Centers including newly created districts. Two pilot projects to be
started in 2009-10.vUnemployment data, skill-inventory and skill-deficiency mapping to be done at district level.vOn-line registration facility for unemployment youth by 2nd October 2009.v“State Policy on Employment” to be ready by 5th December 2009 coinciding with 105th birth anniversary of Sher-i-
Kashmir Jenab Sheik Muhammad Abdullah.vNew Employment Scheme for the youth to be launched, namely Sher-i-Kashmir Employment and Welfare Programme
for the Youth (SKEWPY).v‘State Policy on Skill Development’ to be formulated to create talented and employable workforce.v22 Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs) to be set up; one in each districts.v‘Entrepreneurship Development Fund’ with a corpus of Rs. 25 crore to be created. Scheme to be launched through
JKEDI on 5th December 2009.vWomen entrepreneurship to be encouraged-Revolving fund of Rs. 10 crore to be created and 2200 women to be helped
in the first phase.vEmployment Facilitation Agency to be created under a senior Civil Servant and Governing Body to he headed by the
Chief Secretary.vOverseas employment Corporation to be created to help job seekers in the international market.vRehbar-e-Zirats to be granted additional incentive of Rs. 1500 per month through DRDSs/Panchayats for implementing
and monitoring various agriculture, horticulture and allied sector schemes in districts.
REVOLUTIONARY STEPS TO ERADICATE UNEMPLOYMENT MENAGE FROM JANUARY 2009
vPMGSY to be given special thrust.
vExpeditious implementation of hydroelectric projects.
vPower sector reforms to be implemented on priority
INFRASTRUCTURE
DIP/J-2881
ORIENTED BUDGET
vTotal receipts up from Rs. 19077 crore in RE 2008-09 to Rs. 22739 crore in 2009-10. Rs. 19462 crore comprise revenue receipts and Rs. 3277 crore capital receipts and Rs. 3277 crore capital receipts.
vTotal Revenue Expenditure up by Rs. 2319 crore to Rs. 14949 crore.vTotal Capital Expenditure up by Rs. 1343 crore to Rs. 7790 crore.vExpenditure on salary and pension to account for Rs. 8126 crore.vInterest payments estimates up by Rs. 127 crores at Rs. 1729 crore constituting about 12% of non-plan
revenue expenditure estimated at Rs. 14245 crore.vIncrease in non-plan expenditure mainly due to implementation of Sixth Central Pay Commission for
state employees and pensions.vFiscal Deficit estimated at Rs. 2081 crore; down by Rs. 306 crore.vTotal Plan size up by 22.22% to Rs. 5500 crorevCapital expenditure accounts for Rs. 4847 crore and Revenue expenditure Rs. 653 crore.vPMRP increased by Rs. 187 crore to Rs. 1200 crore.vAllocation under Irrigation and Flood Control stepped up by 122% from Rs. 208.85 crore to Rs. 464.33
crore.vAllocation for transport sector stepped up by 90% from Rs. 486.20 crore to Rs. 923.99 crore.vAllocation for social sector up by 43% from Rs. 1089.17 crore to Rs. 1556.06 crore.vAllocation on general services including ERA, upgradation grants, non-functational buildings,
Governments Presses, IMPA up by 37% from Rs. 467 crore to Rs. 638 crore.vAllocation for primary health sector stepped up by 56% from Rs. 105 crore to Rs. 164 crore.vPromote farm mechanization by providing 25% subsidy on power thrashers and paddy transplanters.vFloriculture marketing and export to be supported.vSericulture revival through multi task expert force.vIncentive for local production of eggs, chickens and mutton.vFive innovation Awards to be set up with cash prize of Rs. one lakh each in collaboration with
National Innovation Foundation to encourage indigenous creativity in solving local problems.vComposition scheme for Brick Kiln owners under Section 56 of J&K VAT Act covering 396 Brick Kilns
in J&K scheme to be notified separately.
Impartment announcements made in BUDGET SPEECH
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RATE OF LIQUOR ENHANCED
Largest ever maintenance plan of Rs. 150 crore for roads.
Double cropping to be introduced for the first time in Kashmir valley
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ADDENDUM
CLARIFICATION
It is notified that the last date for receipt of applications advertised vide Notification No. 01 (Est) of 2009 Dt : 17-07-2009 is extended upto 4th of September, 2009
Following clarifications are hereby made in relation to post advertised vide Notification No.: 01(est) of 2009 Dt : 17-07-2009
1) Candidates in any discipline of Agriculture/Horticulture/ Forestry/Home Science/Agri. Engineering Co-ordinator appeared at Sr. No. 4 of the said notification.
2) Candidates having UG &/or PG degree in the discipline or Bio-technology can also apply for the post of Associate Professor / Senior Scientist and Assistant Professor / Junior Scientist / Subject Matter Specialist in the discipline of Plant Breeding & Genetics appeared at Sr. No. 3(2) and 5(2). By order.
Sd/-
Registrar
M.JACKSON DANCING INSTITUTEImprove your Personality Special classes for Ramp Modeling for Boys & Girls
J.R. SHARMA (Jackson)Mb: 9419149906
Institute Timing :For boys and Girls 2:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M
Ladies Classes for 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 Noon
MAIN CHOWK, JANIUR, JAMMU
M.J.C.I.SRegd. No. : 4515.S
Epiloguebecause there is more to know
Classified MartREACH OUT TO DECISION MAKERS
For booking your advertisement on this page contact Bali @9419631610, 9906362115
JAMMU AND KASHMIRACADEMY OF ART,
CULTURE AND LANGUAGES
NOTICE FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
Lalmandi, Srinagar0194-2310509/2311521
The Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, Govt. of Jammu and Kashmir, intends to construct a grant Integrated Cultural Centre featuring state-of-the art cultural facilities, showcasing cultural heritage of the State which will include auditorium, art gallery, museum, meeting hall, performance and dance space, theater sculpture garden, handicrafts display room, canteen etc. The Academy calls/seeks for expression of interest from the individuals/Consultants/ Agencies having considerable experience in the field for designing blue print of the cultural centre. The consultant/agencies will have to prepare two blue prints for the Integrated Centre; one for the existing buildings and one for a new centre on. The last date for receipt of expression of interest is 5th of September, 2009. The consultant will be selected by the President of the Academy (Chief Minister of the J&K).
Sd/-Zafar Iqbal Manhas
Secretary
WE CONGRATULATE
Kanwal Group of CompaniesKanwal Group of Companies
ANOTHER FEATHER IN THE CAP OF KANWAL GROUP: Farooq Amin, Director Sales and Marketing, Kanwal Foods & Spices
(I) Pvt. Ltd. receiving the 1st Prize for Excellence in the Industries Sector for the year 2006-07 and 1st Prize in Food Processing Segment (Kashmir) for the year 2007-08 at the award distribution
function organized by KCC&I at SKICC.
From All well wishers
On steadily climbing the ladder of
success and winning accolades for
excellence in terms of quality
and purity all along.
Adding Kashmiri Flavour to Global Cuisine
öCarbon Cell bring established at Janipur campus in Jammu.
öTwo brainstorming sessions held on CDM, carbon mapping.
öTwo state level workshops held under National Bamboo Mission.
öMOU with SMVD University and BGSB University for Joint Collaboration in Research