The ambassador said that the purpose of the Government of India’s recent decision to non-operationalize certain provisions of the temporary Article 370 of the Indian constitution which gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir was to pursue the Government’s declared commitment to better governance and socio-economic justice.
The ambassador further stated that this decision was purely an internal matter of administrative reorganization of India. It does not, in any manner, change the boundaries of Jammu and Kashmir and therefore has no external ramification or dimension. Moreover, the change in the constitution of India is a sovereign matter of the nation and not unique or extraordinary but rather a normal process.
Expanding further on what concrete benefits would come out of this decision, the diplomat said that by this decision, the Government of India would be able to effectively deliver benefits of development and socio-economic progress particularly to women and other disadvantaged groups like those that were available to the rest of the country.
He recollected an order issued in 1954 under article 370 which restricted employment, acquisition of property, settlements and educational provisions. As a result, investment in the economic progress of the State was seriously discouraged as no companies or individuals from outside of the state wish to invest in the economy of Jammu and Kashmir. Under the same article 370, women-residents of the State cannot pass on their properties to their children if they are married to non-residents. Under this article, women in Jammu and Kashmir were also denied representation in local bodies’ elections unlike in other parts of the country.
On the future of Jammu and Kashmir, the ambassador saw a bright future saying that the administrative efficiency and quality of governance in Jammu and Kashmir which were grossly impacted by its inadequate integration with national practices will drastically improve with the non-operationalization of article 370. Jammu and Kashmir will now join the rest of India in its path of rapid economic growth unlike in the past where it had lagged behind.
He noted that large resources which have been allocated in the past (the US $ 40 billion during the period 2004-2019) by the Central government have not resulted in commensurate development of Jammu and Kashmir. He also pointed out the fact that over the years the government has consistently allocated 10% of the national budget to Jammu and Kashmir, which is around 1% of the country’s population.
On the current situation in Jammu and Kashmir, the ambassador underlined that essential supplies including 24 x 7 electricity, water supply and sanitation are being ensured. Hospitals and medical facilities are functioning normally and there is no shortage of medicines. Over 190 primary schools have reopened since 19 August and over 200 secondary schools have also reopened.
He pointed out that there has been no incident of major violence as a result of the recent Government’s decision on Jammu and Kashmir. He said that not even a single live bullet has been fired and there has been no loss of life. He also said that the local authorities have gradually relaxed some restrictions, which were earlier imposed to maintain law and order including telecommunication facilities. Out of 197 police stations, 136 have a significantly relaxed restriction. Noting that regular press briefings are being held, he said the fact that so many stories are coming out of Jammu and Kashmir goes to show that there are no such restrictions in place for the media.
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