Economic Highlights
New
Delhi, 22 April 2024
J&K Economy Paces Up
GSDP DOUBLES, HEALTH SHINES
By Shivaji Sarkar
Jammu
and Kashmir is advancing at a pace that may surprise many across the nation,
boasting of strong health and social indicators. It stands out with impressive
statistics for women and high per capita income particularly remarkable
considering it’s a region predominantly inhabited by minorities.
The
Union Territory is making strides forward despite occasional Opposition
protests, such as the one in September 2023 against the abrogation of Article
370 and the delay of grassroots elections. The Congress on April 1, 2024, held
protests again at Srinagar BJP state headquarters against the Centre over its
alleged attempts to cripple the Opposition parties ahead of the general
elections. Democratic protests are back.
It was
not easy, but Home Minister Amit Shah, who not only led the scrapping of
Articles 370 and 35A but also keepsa close watch on every development, observed
and analysed with precision, allows such demonstrations to give a vent to the
anguish. This was not possible some years back when none knew from where a
terrorist bullet would fly in. Since June 19, Shah has been visiting the Union
Territory often and these became more frequent since October to reorganise the
affairs.Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha says that the speed of development in
the UT has gone up by ten times since the abrogation of Article 370. However, voices
within disputethis.
Kashmir
is aspirational as it has better standard of living and aspires to have more
investments and strengthen its different indicators. There are impressive data
from the administration and the NITI Aayog which show it is progressing on most
counts as investments pour in. It has received investment proposals totalling
Rs 56,857 crore against a target of Rs 75,000 crore, potentially creating 2.62
lakh jobs. From 1600 investors, 800 have already deposited their initial
investments and secured land allotments. However, the full impact is yet to be
realised due to gestational issues in the process. Additionally, the administration
anticipates an additional Rs 3,000 crore in foreign investment following
business delegation visits from the UAE and other countries. Since
2019, gross state GDP (GSDP) has doubled to Rs 2.25 lakh crore from Rs 1 lakh
crore.
The
Economist magazine writes, “Tourism, it is true,
has seen a modest recovery—backed by a government campaign that portrays
Kashmir as a peaceful, picturesque place. Visitor numbers in 2022 were roughly
the same as in 2018 (more in 2023). Yet tourism, which currently accounts for 6
percent of state’s GDP has taken an almighty leap to be a major driver of
growth”. Though political changes thawed some sectors.
Social
welfare and focus on healthcare and education has been the cornerstone of
governance in J&K since the mid-20th century. This has improved with
government jobs, which are dwindling. There is restlessness as jobs,
particularly government jobs, are lagging. Most of 2.62 lakh jobs promised are
not in government.The state tops in health indicators, according to National
Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5). It has a sex ratio at birth of 976 female
births against per 1000 male children. This means 47 more female births against
all-India average of 929.
Infant
mortality rate, children dying before the age 5, at 18.5 per 1000, is better
than the national average of 42. Even the total fertility rate is
positive. Against national average of 2, J&K has 1.4. It means 60 fewer
births, ensuring better health and living conditions. Most births take place at
a hospital or clinic. Against national average of 88.6 percent, 92.4 percent of
the women deliver their babies in an institutional facility. But 65 percent
women suffer from anaemia against the national average of 57 percent.
As per
NITI Aayog’s 2023 report, the standard of living is higher in terms of use of
clean fuel – 32 percent; electricity usage 99 percent and housing. However, it lags
behind in access to clean drinking water, 10.37 percent against the national
7.3 percent.
Women in
J&K are relatively more empowered than rest of India. It has less spousal
violence; higher age at marriage, female labour force participation, women
attaining more than 10 years of schooling and owning phones. Overall social
conditions are better than the average living conditions of minorities
elsewhere in India. Even it has less polygamy at 1.4 percent.J&K has an average
per capita income of Rs 1.36 lakh and is comparable with Punjab’s Rs 1.49 lakh.
Shah
notes an improvement in the Valley’s situation, projecting J&K as a leading
economic state. Intense combing operations before his visits have now become
routine drills. Terrorism is nearly eradicated in the Valley, although sporadic
incidents of migrant killings occur in the Rajouri-Poonch area. This region,
part of the Anantnag constituency, is divided by the PirPanjal range, forcing
candidates to undertake a 500 km detour to reach voters. Traversing the
constituency poses a significant challenge for political parties and candidates
during campaigning.
The National
Conference of Farooq Abdullah with ally Congress is contesting all the seats as
they could not reach an agreement with PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti. She is
contesting from Anantnag. The NC-Cong is contesting Baramulla, Anantnag,
and Srinagar in the Valley, and Udhampur and Jammu. Since the Valley politics
has become volatile, the BJP is not contesting or even supporting its supposed
allies like the Democratic Progressive Azad Party of Ghulam Nabi Azad and Apni
Party. Azad though was keen but has not filed his nomination. Similarly,
ApniPary is also in the lurch.
Shah and
Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided the party would not contest the seats in
the Valley to involve the local people more in the parliamentary system and
governance. The Centre is sending vibes that Kashmir would do better with the
support of its own people as their trust deepens.
Regional
parties express their discontent, attributing it to a portion of their
supporters who insist on further improvements in the security situation. Despite
this, there remains a persistent demand for the reinstatement of Article 370,
which appears unattainable. Many individuals still express discomfort with the
extensive security presence, now more covert, which is reportedly targeting
migrant populations. Economic growth, reflected in job opportunities and
business development, remains stagnant, affecting the average income per
family. Approximately 22 percent of the population remains unemployed.
Following the Lok Sabha elections, there is optimism among the people for
broader prospects and opportunities.----INFA
(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)
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