Dr. Ram Chander Sharma
A lot of water has flown down the Jhelum since August 5th this year when Government of India (GOI) took a historic decision to integrate restive erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir to mainland India but unfortunately nothing has moved forward except appointment of two Lieutenant Governors for two newly created Union Territories viz. Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. If the things move so slow like this then – we may wait for yet another Himalayan blunder here like happening since the Accession. The hurriedly enacted Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act 2009 is unknown to general public and the clauses and whole of the Bill is to be circulated on print media and public opinion if sought could have proved a better exercise.
The aftermath of creation of two UTs is marred by interment blockade and perhaps Media gag also : the negative affects of this exercise are so huge in term of student education or business transaction that the recovery will take a quite long time. The implementation of Centrally Sponsored Shames and the on start of Panchyati Raj Institutions (PRIS ) which are in a standstill mode since their inception is nowhere in sight and the early snow fall and continuous unseasonal rainy season in Jammu Province is a major hutdle to execute developmental works. The Government silence to issue notification regarding the implementation of Central Panchyati Raj Act in accordance with 73rd and 74th amendments of constitution of India and the model to be adopted is overdue since the abrogation of Article 370
and passing of Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act 2009. The elected Panchyats are workless since one year and the weather vagaries will not allow any developmental work to be executed.
Since the accession of erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir the affairs of Government ran with remote control of Delhi Durbar with their corrupt political protégées here and the administrative affairs were running in most unprofessional manner. The three provinces were having separated full-fledged Departments with all Head of Departments barring few and scores of loss making Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs ) . Can a backward state with 90% grant in aid from GOI exchequer run in this mode with huge corruption and avoidable spending in government departments in spite of the fact that modern technology like video conferencing , fax, email, telephone and Social Media can be used to implement developmental schemes and social justice schemes , education, health etc. can be monitored without moving an inch out of office are 24 into 7 in our bedrooms at home.
The newly appointed Lt. Governors of the both the UTs have to exert with drastic surgery to prune unwanted offices, merging of various departments, pruning temperedly appointed work force due to political reasons like wage rated laborers in the essential services where fewer are needed, out sourcing works like maintainers of hospitals, offices, public places in Municipalities and Panchyats to private bidders and NGOs. The education sector with declining student enrollment in government schools and increasing teachers strength is a big issue to be investigated by a special committee of experts to fix the responsibilities of doom. The vast department of education with a talented human resource goes unutilized and the result of government schools is pathetic. The mushroom growth of private educational institutes possibly the blood related owner with employees of govt education department is a major flaw in dismissal state of affairs of govt aided schools. The implementation of world’s largest nutrition schemes of Asganwadies and Mid day meals is another area to be monitoring strictly as per guidelines so that the beneficiaries get their due, it can be better if direct benefit transfer is applied here and all else is scrapped. The animal sector is in mess and Rajasthan model has to be implemented to resurrect it. The transport sector with the white elephant State Road Transport Corporation is a major guzzler of exchequer. The department of Tourism is a vital sector to be focused and a model and management of Switzerland can be followed. The medicinal plants and aromatic growth in both the UTs is an area where lot of foreign exchange and employment can be generated. The Horticulture and animal sector are two vital engines of growth and employment.
An appeal is made to both the Lt. Governors to work on first pruning and consolidation of Govt departments, privitatision or public pvt participation of PSUs, outsourcing of sanitation, essential services distribution as electricity and drinking water. Two major boost to horticulture, tourism and animal sector by declaring these as industries. Third, employment generation by skill development and value addition industries in horticulture, agriculture, medicinal plants and animal sector. Thirdly to deal with menace of terrorism with iron first with no overtones of it is a Political Problem.
(The author is a freelancer, Sarpanch Siot and a retired Joint Director Vet. Can be contacted on email ramchandersharmadr@gmail.com

DISCLAIMER:

The views expressed in the Article above are Dr. Ram Chander Sharma’s personal views and kashmiribhatta.in is not responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article.

Courtesy: The State Times: 24th November, 2019