Dr. Raja Muzaffar Bhat
The people in J&K state have been consistently deprecating that their water resources have been exploited and NHPC has earned approximately 20,000 crores from seven hydroelectric projects (1993 to 2015) and the state has got a state royalty of 3,314 crore. However, the common man continues to suffer. Raja Muzaffar in his analysis laments that the exploitation of resources of state continues.
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Saad Hafiz
The hostility between India and Pakistan has acquired new dimensions. In his analysis, Saad Hafiz writes that Kashmir holds much symbolic and historical importance for both countries. The disputed territory is also the primary source of water and power generation to both the countries. The general contours of Kashmir dispute have not changed. Pakistan can not coerce India into making territorial concessions in Kashmir. India can not address the genuine alienation of people of Kashmir through the use of pellet guns and intimidation. A negotiated settlement is in the interests of both the countries. The most practical solution is to recognize existing border in Kashmir. As Indo-Pak relations return to normal, new ideas on sharing sovereignty can emerge.
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Faisul Yaseen
The Economic survey projects a grim picture of progress in major sectors of state economy. Providing some details, Faisul Yaseen writes that progress in agriculture sector fell from 24.74 % to 2.49% in 2016-17, and 8.37% in 2017-18. The progress in industrial sector fell from 26.15% to 3.43% in 2016-17 to 6.8% in 2017-18. Service sector also shows a grim picture. Growth trend in electrically, gas, water-supplies and other utility services also fell. GSPD of forestry, mining, manufacture also showed a decline.
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Niloofar Qureshi
The killing of four policemen at Sopore, gives more credence to the view that armed struggle is nothing but naked terrorism, writes Niloofar Qureshi. According to her, the resistance leadership is trying to seek international acceptance for militancy in Kashmir by portraying it as “armed resistance” against New Delhi’s oppression. But actual deeds of militants can not convince international community to intervene. The exceptionally large turnout of mourners for the funeral of policemen shows that days when militants could get away with these murders are coming to an end.
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Pakistan’s irresponsible activities have done more damage to Kashmir ‘cause’, writes the analyst Niloofar Qureshi. According to her International community views ideological issue of Kashmir as a territorial dispute. LeT and JuD say that they support Pakistan army and government in their effort to help the people of Kashmir, because it is Jihad. Syed Salahuddin says that “We (Hizb) are fighting Pakistan’s war in Kashmir.” According to the author Pakistan’s utterances have done more harm than good to ‘self-determination’ movement in Kashmir.
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(Image Courtesy Faisal Khan, tehelka.com)
The Government of India has recently appointed a Special Representative, a former senior Intelligence officer, to hold a dialogue with different “stake holders” in Jammu and Kashmir state. The involvement of young students and youth in frequent protests and violence appears to have prompted the Union Government to appoint the Special Representative to hold a dialogue with different sections of society and fathom out the reasons for this phenomenon. The Special Representative has started visiting the state and holding meetings with the people. According to press reports the Representative is not bound by any specific agenda and has been given complete freedom in this regard. However, it may be mentioned here that the term of reference pertaining to “stake holders” appears to be superfluous in the sense that it gives an impression of a special group or a distinct class with whom the representative should be holding a dialogue. It needs to be recognized that every citizen of the state is a “stake holder” because every one has been bearing the brunt of turmoil and uncertain conditions.
Economic Census (2014) says only 0.85% share of total number of persons employed in India are from J&K. Since present education and skill levels of those already in labour force is low, it is a major challenge to reap its demographic advantage, writes Altaf Hussain Haji. According to him, in J&K literacy rate is 69%, but there is a big gap between male literacy and female literacy. As for education, 90.3% is for general, 8.4% for technical/professional and 1.3% for vocational education. That means educated youth are not getting necessary skills in specific vocations or trade. That makes it imperative for government to reorganize skill development, create opportunities, space and scope for development of talents of youth.
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In a revealing scenario, a US study says a major quake of magnitude 9 can trigger landslides that would dam River Jhelum and put Kashmir Valley under water within three months, write S. A. Bhat and M. U. Dar. According to them, earlier estimates of maximum possible quake were too low. There is no mechanism to predict earth quakes. The Himalayas in Kashmir are tectonically active. Measures recommended are identifying future locations of earth quakes, research of effects of historical earthquakes, to determine their recurrence and educate people about measures to limit losses:
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Niloofar Qureshi
Pakistan must be feeling satisfaction in deafly handing the situation that silenced New Delhi’s strong objections to CPEC, writes Niloofar Qureshi on the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). According to her, it seems New Delhi’s initial clamour and subsequent silence must be a well –planned move to further isolate Pakistan on Kashmir issue. UN resolutions on resolving Kashmir are applicable to the entire territory of J&K and not only to Indian Kashmir. Thus Pakistan’s Kashmir strategy is flawed. By permitting construction of CPEC through PoK despite protests of India, Islamabad has exercised its ownership right, and by doing so weakened its case. That World Bank as well as Asian Development Bank refused to finance Daimer – Bhasa project in Gilgit Baltistan, shows that Pakistan’s claim of J&K being disputed refers to POK as well!
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