Politics and Economy of Elections

Election Commission of India has declared the election schedule for J&K. It is a welcome step and people are happy and ready to exercise their franchise. However, it would be first election post abrogation of Article 370 and JK as a Union Territory. Apart from the cliché promises that political parties are going to make, few points they must take into consideration while making promises and polices.

According to Periodic Labour Force Survey during July 2020-June 2021, estimate of unemployment rate in age group of 15-29 years for Jammu and Kashmir was 18.3 per cent. It was above the national average. To address this, the new Government must come up with an official policy.

The recruitment process must be made better, faster and transparent. The lag in examination process renders students frustrated and embittered. The government must increase the age limit for JKPSC as is evident in other states. The more unemployment is suppressed, the more peaceful and less depressing the youth becomes.

The natural corollary of the unemployment is rising cases of drug abuse. According to a Central Government data, over 14.09 lakh people, aged between 10 and 75, are using various psychoactive substances in J&K. The J&K Police has taken strong steps in this regard. However, a policy must be there. Drug abuse has a spill over effect on social harmony, peace as it increases crime rates. The new Government must take some strong steps to stop selling of liquor in J&K and declare it a dry state like Gujrat.

Increased employment, peace and health outcomes are foundational for a better society. The health infrastructure of J&K is in shambles. The primary health care in rural areas is inefficient and unplanned.

The unavailability of doctors, medical equipments and lack of medicines in PHCs takes a huge toll on incomes of poor people. It pushes the pressure towards Urban Health care system. The infrastructural deficit of SKIMS is huge. I am taking liberty to mention a PHC, situated in Villagam, Kupwara, which burnt down 10 years before and is still craving for attention.

As the climate change is becoming real day by day, it increases the aggregate demand for energy like power and gas. The energy bill for the state is increasing. As per Economic Survey of J&K 2023, Per Capita Income of J&K is ₹1,65,755, way below than PCI of Delhi, which is ₹4,61,910. But still the residents of Delhi get around 200 plus units of free electrcity. The same concept should be applied here to increase the disposable incomes with the people. The J&K has Hydel Power potential of 18392 MW, out of which only 3633 MW has been harnessed, as per Economic Survey 2023.

The other issue that needs immediate attention is rural and urban infrastructure. There are still hundreds of KMs of roads which have not yet been macadamized. The macadamized ones lose their efficacy within a few months and potholes ruin them. The school infrastructure needs a robust policy.

The issue here lies with lack of accountability and moral responsibility on part of Government and contractors respectively. It has often been noticed that there are underlying kickbacks and quid pro quo relation between officials and contractors. The delays in policy making, getting clearances and stalling work in the middle of it, give rise to cost

overruns. These costs are further recovered from pockets of tax payers and it creates a vicious cycle. The result is low capital expenditure on part of government.

The Social Contract theory gives right to citizens to demand quality governance. For that citizens must be aware of their problems and know the way to raise issues. On the other hand, we must know our civic duties to be called as better citizens. A peaceful and better society is found on the bedrock of cooperation between government and citizens. J&K requires peace, democracy, rights and protection of minorities. Let’s wait and watch for new government to fulfill our aspirations.

Akhter Hussain Sheikh teaches Indian Economy to Civil Services Aspirant

Sharif Hussain Khan, Delhi-Based Author and Researcher