Statehood for J&K before October, Assembly elections soon after: Union Minister

Srinagar, Aug 8: Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Ramdas Athawale Thursday said that the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir could be restored before October this year, with assembly elections potentially following shortly after.

The union minister made this statement during a news conference outlining the government’s commitment to Jammu and Kashmir.

Athawale, the senior leader of the Republican Party of India (RPI) said that the central government was likely to fulfil its promise of restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, a commitment made at the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.

“Polls are scheduled in Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh before October. I think before October, statehood can be restored, and elections may also happen in October,” he said.

The minister emphasised the importance of voter participation in the upcoming elections, urging the people of Jammu and Kashmir to ensure a record-breaking turnout.

He commended the people of J&K for its high voter engagement in the Lok Sabha elections, highlighting the role of citizens in strengthening democracy in J&K.

Athawale said that there was a significant increase in tourist arrivals with over 2.11 crore visitors, including international tourists, having visited Jammu and Kashmir recently.

“People don’t fear going to Kashmir now. Earlier, they wanted to come, but terrorism was stopping them,” he said, citing the improved security situation in J&K.

The union minister provided updates on the government’s efforts to support marginalised communities in J&K.

Athawale expressed happiness at the working of the department and said that the department was leaving no stone unturned to address the issues of citizens.

He said that over 2 lakh students belonging to weaker sections of the society in the region have been provided scholarships so far.

The minister said that in the last 3 years, 74 cases related to atrocities had been recorded from Kashmir which was below the national average.

He said that there were 16 old-age homes operational in J&K and the ministry plans to come up with four more in the coming times.

Athawale said that there were over 3.5 lakh specially-abled people in J&K and so far, more than 1.9 lakh disability cards have been issued.

He said that his ministry also provides loans and financial assistance to Divyangjans and pensions to more than 4 lakh widows in J&K.

The union minister expressed happiness that more than 25 lakh bank accounts under Prime Minister Jan Dhan Yojna had been opened in J&K ever since the inception of the scheme.

He said that there were 18,81,000 beneficiaries of PM Mudra Yojna and 25,000 beneficiaries of PM Awas Yojna in J&K.

Athawale said that his party, RPI, was planning to field 10 to 15 candidates in J&K.

He expressed optimism about the party's prospects in J&K, given the ongoing efforts to restore peace and development in J&K.

The minister’s remarks come at a crucial time as the people of J&K await the restoration of their statehood and the return of democratic processes, nearly five years after J&K’s special status was revoked.