Ladakh and J&K: Breaking the Shackles

One year after the abrogation of Article 370, the Union Territories of Ladakh and J&K are poised for transformation.

Keywords: Abrogation of Article 370 | Historical Baggage | New Infrastructure | Business Dynamism | SEZs | Fresh Political Leadership | Power Projects 

On 05 August 2019, most of the provisions of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution were removed thereby making Article 35A of the Constitution irrelevant. By eliminating these articles, which probably had some relevance in the past, but had become outdated and had kept the province frozen in a bygone era, the government has unshackled the vast potential of this resource-rich region. More significantly, the subsequent restructuring of the province into two union territories has unshackled the massive potential of Ladakh, as it is no longer bound by the baggage of history, which Jammu and Kashmir always carried. Consequent to the changes, a host of new opportunities have opened up not only for Ladakh but also for J&K.

For the first time, there has been round-the-clock electricity in Ladakh since February 2020. 

 After one year, it is time to take stock of the impact these changes have created in these two territories. As brought out earlier, Ladakh is now no longer tied to the apron strings of J&K, and this has allowed the region to take off. Consequently, unrestricted internet services are now available throughout the Union Territory. Although the new UT was set up only on 31 October 2019, the results are for all to see. For the first time, there has been round-the-clock electricity in Ladakh since February 2020.  Even the remote areas have been provided with electricity, and its relevance in the snowbound region in winters need not be overemphasised. Tourism, which is the mainstay of the economy, but has been a seasonal affair, can now continue round the year, increasing employability considerably. Similarly, road access to Ladakh, both Srinagar- Kargil road and Manali-Leh roads were opened one month earlier than was the norm, which enabled movement of provisions and essential supplies.

A research institute for Sowa Riga, the traditional medical system of the region, is being established, so that trained Amchis (doctors of Tibetan medicine) can graduate from there. Ladakh University has started functioning. An Institute of Hotel Management is being set up, a medical college has been sanctioned, and an engineering college is being sought for Kargil. 

A blueprint for a new and vibrant Ladakh has been prepared. A research institute for Sowa Riga, the traditional medical system of the region, is being established, so that trained Amchis (doctors of Tibetan medicine) can graduate from there. Ladakh University has started functioning. An Institute of Hotel Management is being set up, a medical college has been sanctioned, and an engineering college is being sought for Kargil.  There is a new vibrancy, as far as this remote region is concerned and as many as 786 MSMEs have been sanctioned. Winter games are being popularised, and very soon Ladakh will emerge as a hub of winter tourism, which will result in economic activities around the year. More significantly new tourist spots are being developed and the feasibility of landing civilian flights in Kargil is being studied.

Valmikis who till now could be employed only as sanitation workers and Gorkhas as watchmen have been freed from these bondages. Laws that inherently discriminated against women, as far as inheritance was concerned, have been replaced.  

On the other hand, even Jammu and Kashmir is galloping ahead. Free from the shackles of Article 370, the laws in the territory have been brought at par with those prevailing in other parts of the country and in accordance with the necessity of present times. Valmikis who till now could be employed only as sanitation workers and Gorkhas as watchmen have been freed from these bondages. Laws that inherently discriminated against women, as far as inheritance was concerned, have been replaced.  Affirmative action for socio-economically weaker sections of the society has been implemented.  More significantly decentralisation of governance has been executed and Panchayati Raj institutions have been strengthened, urban local bodies’ elections were held after 13 years, even more significantly the grassroots level democratic institutions are being provided with the financial muscle, as well as powers to manage local affairs and be effective. This whole process is resulting in the emergence of a fresh breed of political leadership, as politics in the region had hitherto been the monopoly of a few families.  

The J&K UT has a massive hydropower potential of 20000 MW, out of which only 3500 MW could be tapped in the past seven decades.  

The enormous economic potential of the region that had not been tapped due to shackles of Article 370, is being realised. The J&K UT has a massive hydropower potential of 20000 MW, out of which only 3500 MW could be tapped in the past seven decades.  Now many projects languishing due to official apathy have been revived and work on 1000 MW Pakul Dul and 624 MW Kiru projects have started. Connectivity is the key to triggering economic development and consequently, the valley, which would get cut-off from the rest of the country in winters, is being connected by all-weather roads and new tunnels are being constructed. Rail connectivity is being expedited and within two years, one can expect to visit Srinagar from Delhi by train.  Plans have been prepared for Metro lines in both Jammu and Srinagar. 

However, the real transformation will emerge, when the private sector comes forward to invest in the two UTs. There is, therefore, a dire need for establishing new Special Economic Zones in both of them.

The J&K UT has achieved cent percent electrification of households, and even the border villages have been connected with the grid. Likewise, a piped water scheme for rural households is being prepared. New educational institutions are being established with an IIT at Jammu and AIIMS in Kashmir valley being expedited.  Bottlenecks in the transportation of goods are being removed. 

However, the real transformation will emerge, when the private sector comes forward to invest in the two UTs. There is, therefore, a dire need for establishing new Special Economic Zones in both of them. Besides tourism and hydropower, there are enormous possibilities in pharmaceuticals and food processing in J&K, and for solar and wind energy, and IT in Ladakh, whose dust free and cold environment should make it an ideal destination for technology firms.

A Hindi translation of the article was published in Dainik Jagran and Nai Duniya on 07 August 2020.