Deteriorating security situation, squabbling within the coalition have led to slow progress in state
Changing security situation and squabbling within coalition partners — Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) — on key issues has slowed down the process to implement key points in the Agenda of Alliance in Jammu and Kashmir.
The alliance document, binding two ideologically different parties in the insurgency-hit Himalayan state, was termed as “Guiding framework for governance” by the late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed when he stitched the alliance with the BJP after the 2014 Assembly elections’ verdict and took oath on March 1, 2015.
Later after the death of Mufti on January 7, 2016, Mehbooba and the BJP leadership had reaffirmed their commitment to implement the points of agenda. However, nearly 10 months after she took over as the first women Chief Minister of J&K, both the PDP and BJP are unable to find a common ground on several Agenda of Alliance points and struggle to iron out their differences.
A Group of Ministers (GoM) committee constituted by the Mehbooba for fast-track implementation of the Agenda of Alliance, which guides the coalition relationship, has failed to reach a consensus.
Though a recent meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had generated some hope that points agreed in the Agenda of Alliance will set the ball rolling, but changing dynamics within both the parties could again act as hindrance depriving people of developmental benefits.
Though several development projects have been announced and work started but some points have remained untouched.
Talks with internal stakeholders
The major point of the Agenda of Alliance was initiating dialogue with “internal stakeholders” which possibly involve separatist Hurriyat Conference, but there is a complete silence on part of the Central government to start a dialogue process due to rise in the terror activity in J&K. Everyone was hoping that the Prime Minister will start the talk process on the pattern of once initiated by the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2002. On ground separatist organisations have united and militants have increased their attacks on security forces.
Ties with Pakistan
With the changing dynamics of politics in the sub-continent post Uri military base attack by terrorists in September 2016 and intense cross-border clashes for months, ties with Pakistan are at the lowest ebb in the recent years. The PDP was seeking extra Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) to normalise the relationship with Pakistan, but things are not looking rosy. Pakistan has increased its propaganda campaign against India.
Special status and AFSPA
With rising terror attacks and “conspiracies” for large-scale internal disturbances in Kashmir, chances of revoking AFSPA from any of the areas in the state seem remote. The spurt in terror attacks has put a full stop on any further debate on AFSPA, Disturbed Areas Act (DAA) and other issues. However, the BJP has adopted silence on its demand for revoking Article-370, the main point to attract voters in the Jammu region.
Smart Cities
Though the Central government had invited Jammu and Srinagar — two capital cities of Jammu and Kashmir — in the next nomination list of Smart Cities to be announced by the Centre, but there is still a lot of confusion as J&K has still not initiated key urban reforms. The state government is also still undecided on conducting municipal polls, a major hindrance in the process and other urban developmental projects.
Power project
The Agenda of Alliance (AoA) had called for transfer of Dulhasti and Uri hydro power projects to J&K. It was suggested by the working group report submitted by the Rangarajan Committee but there has been no headway.
Return of Kashmiri Pandits
One of the basic points of the Agenda of Alliance was return and rehabilitation of 3.50 lakh displaced Kashmiri Hindus in Valley. However, no major progress has been made as during the post-Burhan Wani violence in Kashmir, the community was targeted. In turn, the government has again restarted “migrant registration” in Jammu after eight years.
West Pak refugees
The Agenda of Alliance had called for measures for sustenance and livelihood of West Pakistan refugees, which was met with strong resistance from separatists in Kashmir. The plan for West Pakistan refugees has slowed down. Another point of making families of cross-border firing qualify for benefits given under SRO-43 and constitution of delimitation commission have still not progressed.
Vacation of land by Army
With terrorists again raising their heads in the Kashmir valley and rising casualties of the Army and other security forces, the Centre may slow down the process to handover land occupied by the Army to the state. Only 458 kanals in Anantnag was handed over to Kashmir University for expansion of its campus last year.
Flood relief
After the formation of the government, transfer of relief directly to businessmen and traders affected by the devastating floods of 2014 was started but its progress was very sluggish. The dredging of the Jhelum is still going on at a snail’s pace, despite commitment made by the Centre.
