Lopsided development of Jammu and Ladakh
This feeling of being discriminated against exists since 1951 when the number of legislators was first decided in favor of Kashmir. There are other reasons as well.
According to Prof Hari Om of Jammu University, ‘Per information tabled on the floor of the Assembly in 2007 unemployment rate in Kashmir was less than 30% vs 69.75% in Jammu. The report also indicates that employees from Kashmir dominate in the 1,715 employees of civil secretariat which includes gazetted, non- gazetted and fourth class employees. There were 199 gazetted officers, share of Jammu 41%. Non-gazetted officers 1041, share of Jammu 26%. Fourth class employees 363, share of Jammu 29%.
Roads are the lifeline of any region or state. The figures as contained in the Report of the Task Force on development of Jammu and Kashmir (constituted by PM in 2006) show the extent to which the State Government has focused on the Valley. See table 5.
Data gathered by Task Force on Roads in Jammu District* (Table 5)
District |
Land Area sq kms |
Road Length kms |
A.Jammu (total 1 to 6) |
26,293 |
4,571 |
1. Erstwhile Doda |
11,691 |
613 |
2. Poonch |
1,674 |
217 |
3. Udhampur |
4,550 |
719 |
4. Rajouri |
2,630 |
511 |
5. Kathua |
2,651 |
782 |
6. Jammu |
3,097 |
1,729 |
B.Ladakh (total 7 to 8) |
59,146 |
1,840 |
7. Leh |
45,110 |
1,164 |
8. Kargil |
14,036 |
676 |
C.Kashmir (total 9to14) |
15,948 |
7,129 |
9. Erstwhile Anantnag |
3,984 |
1,328 |
10. Erstwhile Pulwama |
1,398 |
878 |
11. Srinagar |
2,228 |
1,425 |
12. Budgam |
1,371 |
1,122 |
13. Baramullah |
4,588 |
1,553 |
14. Kupwara |
2,379 |
823 |
Total A+B+C |
1,01,387 |
13,540 |
*(Development of Jammu and Kashmir Growth Generating Initiatives, Government of India, New Delhi, November 2006, p. 14).
The numbers speak for themselves. Kashmir has 15.7% of the State’s land area and 52.7% of the roads. Ladakh has only 1,840 kms – the sensitive border area needs urgent attention.
Coming to revenues, Jammu region contributes substantially to treasury. Sales tax realized in J&K from 1975-2007 was Rs 3,550 crs of which Jammu contributed 70%. (J&K Planning Department papers).
People in Jammu believe a larger % of Government expenditure is in Kashmir. For e.g. everyone from Jammu working with the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department under the Community Participation Scheme (CPS) got a monthly wage of Rs.500. Corresponding figure for Kashmiri was Rs 2,100.
Next is share in the state’s professional colleges, including medical and dental colleges. A scrutiny of the MBBS/BDS selection lists of the last 27 years reveals that the Jammu’s share in the state’s medical colleges dwindled from 60% in 1990, 52% in 1991 and 17% in 1998. In 1995, the share was 41 per cent (Report of the Committee set up by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, January 13, 1999, pg 4). Between 1998 and 2008, the share of Jammu in these colleges remained almost the same, and sometimes even less. There is thus, an urgent need to revise the existing admission policy’.
Treatment of the people of Jammu and Ladakh violates the Preamble of the Constitution of J&K which seeks to secure for its citizens ‘Equality of status and opportunity, and to promote among us all’.
ST’s too are unhappy. Choudhary Anwar Hussain, advocate and leader, Gujjar United Front said, (The Tribune 3/12/2013) “Abrogation of Article 370 will help the STs to get direct benefits of various schemes meant for them.” To read similar views http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20131203/j&k.htm#14
Ladakis are unhappy too! Below are excerpts from interview given by Thupstan Chhewang, Chairman, Ladakh Hill Development Council in 2002 (Rediff.com). ‘Ladakh was an independent kingdom till 1836, when it was invaded and annexed to the Dogra state of Jammu. In 1947, when India was granted independence, we were part of the principality of J&K. It is how we became part of the Jammu and Kashmir state. At the time of partition, the people of Ladakh approached the Maharaja and later (in 1949), they approached the Indian Prime Minister with the same demand: we do not want to be part of J&Kashmir state. We wanted Ladakh to be directly administered by Delhi. We already had an apprehension that Ladakh would be discriminated against by the Kashmiris and it has happened now for the past 40 years. At that time already, our leaders had asked that Ladakh should be considered as a separate unit, but once the Kashmir issue became an international issue, we have been used as scapegoats. To read full interview http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/aug/05inter.htm
If the J&K State Government believes it is being maligned, they should publish a white paper which gives revenue and expenditure, separately for Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh regions, for the past twenty years?
Q. Why are some separatist leaders against return of Pandits to the Valley?
A. By virtue of the Valley being nearly 100% Muslim votes go to either the National Conference or PDP so domination of Valley Muslims (Sunni) continues. Gujjars, Paharis, OBCs and Pandits are likely to vote for neither and may vote BJP (emerged as largest party in State during last Lok Sabha elections) along with Shias. If BJP wins a couple of seats plus larger number in Ladakh and Jammu, where people resent domination by the Valley, it could break their domination enjoyed since 1951.
Q. Why are Kashmiri Pandits reluctant to return to the Valley?
A. Before asking Pandits to return we have to address the reasons why they are expelled from the Valley. Pandits will feel secure when those responsible for killings and rapes of 1990 are convicted.