We need a subjective approach in dealing with the economics of Jammu & Kashmir
Naveed Qazi
Human resource is the most gifted asset to any emerging economy, but for its development, it needs education in finance, economics, technocracy, politics so that the natives get training imparted with adequate skills.
Till now, our modest and beautiful valley has been deprived of any major intellectual or economic revolution. The political instability has been the biggest impediment in bringing any social/economic change. Leaders have a bigger role to play if they want to bring a revolution. On the contrary, it has been a disappointment. Every elected leader fails to fulfil his or her promise.
Kashmir produces a variety of fruits, vegetables and grains, yet 40% of them rot because there is no or little advanced cold chain, processing and packaging services available, and thereby depriving people of thousands of jobs. If our economy gradually changes from small-scale agriculture to low end manufacturing to high end manufacturing, growth in this conventional and contrived manner will change the fate of Kashmir forever. Indian agriculture sector produces just 20% of the national income. Thus it is clear that tertiary sectors are the soul of economic growth.
Indian agriculture sector produces just 20% of the national income. Thus it is clear that tertiary sectors are the soul of economic growth. “Controlled and properly conducted regulatory industrialization through privatization will only bear us fruits”.
Most of the supporters of Sheikh, unfortunately, are completely ignorant of our socio-political history and base their beliefs on propaganda and cultural confusion. Human Resource Development can never be achieved in a land or a nation where basic human rights are denied and don’t even exist on paper. How can we expect to develop our human resources when our youth are deliberately overshadowed, ill-treated and discriminated against in recruitment, education and self sustenance? Is there anything Kashmiris can do about this within the ambit of India control? No! That is why all Kashmiris talk about politics. It is not that we are not aware of these issues but all these issues are directly linked to our political subjugation.
Kashmir has the least privatized industrial sectors in India. What makes this a part of India’s subjugation policy towards Kashmir is the fact that this has been achieved by a consistent policy aimed at achieving a financial and economic dependence on India. For example the Cements industry: Kashmir’s only profit making PSU has been one of the most ripe concerns up for prospective privatization which has been denied due to the effect it would have on Indian control over Kashmir’s economic resources. Jammu & Kashmir Bank Ltd: there is a large hue and cry around the country about JKB’s stocks touching record highs.
Our literacy level is directly related to the impediments we face due to the absence of human rights. Kashmir is surviving because of self sustainable local businesses -thanks to rich cultural and historic heritage of Kashmir. Only 6% of people in Kashmir are employed in government services. There has been an increasing trend of Kashmiris migrating or hunting for jobs in Gulf, America, Canada and UK. Recently a local channel stated that Kashmiris now do carpet and ‘papier-mâché’ business in Rome and Helsinki! Indian statistics won’t reveal that Kashmiris have the richest non-resident groups in India followed by Gujaratis or statistics regarding huge reserves of granite, slate, marble, iron ore and sapphires which are literally being allowed to rot due to their attitude towards privatization.
One of the most significant regulatory burdens in India is labour regulation which provides disincentive to grow businesses reduces flexibility in operations and increases exit costs. India still lags far behind in terms of GDP or human development. A research study by an international company stated that companies regularly find administrative compliances, complex taxation, poor infrastructure in developing and emerging cities and corruption considerable. The result is that India pays more to rivals to produce, distribute and export goods. If we compare areas and cities of Kashmir with Indian emerging cities, we stand absolutely nowhere! It’s an alarming situation we are facing right now. But the greatest irony is that the Indian laws are only for the protection of labourers in an organized sector, but even then some Kashmiri people usually work on low wages, find no work, and get involved in brawls due to unfavourable atmosphere in various parts of India. Some modest Kashmiris also face terrorism charges. Many students who want to pursue higher education in India are deprived of admission as they belong to Kashmir. Some recruiters crack jokes, “You were born in a wrong place”.
No matter how many false dreams are aired on public television or how many new economic packages are being allotted to Kashmir on paper, the fact is that Kashmiris are not a part of their own economic design. They cannot create more jobs, more assets and more revenue generating units to the fullest of their capabilities because they are not involved in their own economy. Our own banks don’t belong to us. Our profit making PSU belong to the Government of India. Our hospitals depend on Central grants for upkeep and infrastructural development. Our best schools are managed and controlled by missionaries who have absolutely no interest in the bigger picture of Kashmiris becoming self-reliant and prospering in life.
We need a subjective approach in dealing with the economics of Jammu & Kashmir. Corruption is literally choking every service sector, and thus impediments in economic growth. We have to develop adequate infrastructure with proper planning and resource management. Otherwise, we will find ourselves in a hapless economic crisis, which would literally create dangerous junctures in every section of our society.
Author is an avid blogger and can be mailed at naveedqazi@live.com.
