Friday, March 29, 2024
 
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A Tryst with Destiny Awaited

Dr Nirmal Kamal



Tryst with destiny of Kishtwar, Inderwal, Doda, Bhaderwah, Ramban and Banihal will take its shape on 25th Nov, 2014 when voters of these 6 constituencies register their choices for representatives for J&K Assembly through EVMs in the first phase. Destiny has played cruel joke with the people of these areas as these areas remained mostly neglected by the erstwhile representatives despite the fact that couple of prominent and most powerful politicians who remained part of the Central Government, hailed from these areas. A former Union Minister preferred symbolic development by establishing gardens and parks on the lines of the Mughal Kings and rest was left on the mercy of the circumstances.


Kishtwar, a beautiful virgin habitat, is still awaiting for tourism development besides intensive health facilities, sufficient para- medical staff, doctors and other facilities required for a district hospital, proper road connectivity in the entire district (particularly road from Thathri to Kishtwar town is in dilapidated condition as well Chirralla Thella road too, is awaited), is significant demand often conveyed to the concerned authorities, drinking water supply and other essentials is the loud cry of the people. Government always adopted a non-serious approach towards providence of food grains, sugar, kerosene oil, LPG etc. Regarding drinking water supply, people often complain that the existing Naigad supply line on which crores were spent, is not supplying a drop of water to Kishtwar. Similarly about three decades have gone by when successive Governments have assured about Karthai Hydro Electric Power Project but nothing so far is done. Besides places like Paddar, Dachhan, Marwah and Chatroo areas still await proper electricity connection and that erratic electricity supply from Dulhasti Power Station and NHPC is playing havoc with the lives of the people of these areas of cool climate (though the electricity scenario is not bright in other districts of the State ).


Kishtwar has hidden treasure of Sapphire, Saffron and many other minerals require exploration. The Sapphire mines located in the area are excavated and auctioned but lack of transparency, dishonesty and non-accountability has led to several scandals. No action followed these scandals. Sapphire and saffron of rich quality if transacted lawfully could fetch handsome revenue to the State Exchequer. Very recently a step cut sapphire piece of 27.54 carrot, of Kashmir (read Paddar) was sold for world record USD 6 million at Sotheby’s auction in Geneva(recently in news). A simple Trade Center dealing in precious stones and saffron could have improved the economy of this hilly remote area.


Locals have begun to demand for scheduled tribe status to Paddar Tehsil on the basis of discrimination meted out to them. Showing anguish against coalition Government , people of Kishtwar demand State Commission for SC/STs. Another prominent demand of the locals is that the area from Patimahalla to Dachhan and Marwah is still not connected with any motor able road. Reportedly, 75% people in villages of block Dachhan and Marwah still are without electrification. Tunder, Pringas, Batpora, Lopara and other villages are also not provided with water supply despite commitment from the SE, Hydraulic Circle , Doda, according to the locals of these areas.


Dachhan in Kishtwar having dense forest and lonely peaks, is a subject of insecurity and so is militancy prone area. Deployment of adequate security to protect general public is the common demand. Besides such areas like elsewhere, are being protected by the VDCs and SPOs at the risk of their lives despite some anti- social elements demanding withdrawal of services of VDCs and SPOs. Instead, in lieu of the services being rendered by these VDCs and SPOs, their emoluments should have been enhanced. Sadly, 8,000 volunteers under Centrally sponsored scheme of ‘National Youth Corps volunteers’ are engaged in the duty of supreme sacrifice to serve the people but being poor they have taken up this service at the cost of their education. Special provision of education should be incorporated for such volunteers. People belonging to these places demand not the moon nor the mars but only the basic essentials required for decent living. Advancement development means providence of essentials under the constitution of the country or the State constitution.

Bhaderwah, another picturesque green meadow has come up with a beautiful parks but people therein are discontent. The Gaddi Sippi Tribes of J&K who were conferred ST status by the GOI, mostly living in Doda, Ramban, Udhampur and Kathua, are still backward in all respects. They demand reservations in Government departments, educational institutions, representation in welfare schemes and inclusion of Gaddi language in 6th Schedule of the constitution of J&K as well special economic package for promotion of Traditional avocation of Shepherding.


Banihal, Doda and Ramban had more or less similar demands as these scenic places lack tourism development contrary to the claims of State Government and road connectivity despite the fact that Minister concerned belong to Doda constituency. Unemployment, holding back of 73rd and 74rth amendment to the Panchayti Raj Act, non-payment of compensation to the affected families of martyred VDC members, discrimination and understaffed schools, non-implementation of Centrally sponsored Schemes, bungling in PMGY& MGNREGA etc are the common concerns of the of the locals awaiting reprisal.


OMG! Solving these mounds of grievances faced by the people living in topographically most difficult constituencies going to polls on 25th Nov is indeed a herculean task as the problems are allowed to become complex by misplaced priorities and non- compliancy of the complacent. Erstwhile Governments definitely are responsible for allowing this situation to arise. Just two years back, state sponsored terrorism played its obnoxious role to create communal tension, on 9th August in Kishtwar, known for communal harmony. Caring neglected development, removal of rampant corruption, job creation and providence of basic essentials were never the priorities of the Governments who remained in power till now. People definitely want get rid of the tested representatives. People have become wiser. They understand the power of a vote. They also understand inner complexities of this trouble torn State. They want development in real terms. All hopes rest with collective wisdom of the people sailing on the Modi wave ready to reshape the destiny of the State.





(Opinions expressed in write-ups/articles/Letters are the sole responsibility of the authors and they may not represent the scoopnews.in)


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