Epilogue

because there is more to know

www.epilogue.in CONTENTS

Prologue 3
Editor in Chief Letters to the editor 4
Zafar Choudhary
Controversies of Hear & Hear
Who Said What 5
Consulting Editor
D. Suba Chandran FAITH & POLITICS Report

Associate Editor on way to Change at Raj Bhawan

Tourism
6
28
AMARNATH
Irm Amin Baig
Interview
Photo Division Change at Raj Bhawan 7
JP Bandral
Security
Designs & Layout Volume 2, Issue 7, July 2008
Keshav Sharma
Naxal Violence 20
Ladakh
Mailing Address
PO Box 50, HO Gandhi Nagar, IN FOCUS
Education 22
Jammu Amarnath Politics On Record
The Grand Plan 25
Phones & email
Office : +91 191 2493136 10 Dangerous Politics Around Columns
Editorial: +91 94191 80762 39 Hectares Of Land Vision From Valley 35
Administration: +91 94190 00123 Times Gone By 38
editor@epilogue.in Jest Ponder 54
editor.epilogue@gmail.com
subscription@epilogue.in Digest of Economy
Industry 31
Edited, Printed & Published by
Zafar Choudhary for CMRD Bibliophiles
Publications and Communications Legends Of Our Times 40
Published from ‘Ibadat’, Madrasa
Lane, Bhatindi Top, Jammu, J&K Stop Press
Review of Media 45
Printed at
Dee Dee Reprographix, Jammu Reviews
Books & Movies 47
Disputes, if any, subject to jurisdiction
of courts and competitive tribunals in Epilogue
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July 2008
 BREAST FEEDING
Instructions to Breastfeeding Mothers
Mothers should be explained the following advantages as also nutritional superiority of breastfeeding :
I) Immediately after delivery, breast milk is yellowish and sticky. This milk is called Colostrum, which
is secreted during the first week of delivery. Colostrum is more nutritious than mature milk because it
contains more protein, more anti-infective neonatal infections. It also contains higher levels of
Vitamin ‘A’.
II) Breast Milk :
a) Is a complete and balanced food and provides all the nutrients needed by the infant in the first
few months of its birth.
b) Has anti-infective properties that protect the infants from infection in the early months.
c) Is always available.
d) Needs no utensils or water (which might carry germs) or fuel for its preparation.
III) Breastfeeding is much cheaper feeding infant milk substitute as the cost of extra food needed by the
mother is negligible compared to the cost of feeding infant milk substitutes.
IV Mothers who breastfeed usually have longer periods of infertility after childbirth than non-lactators.

Management of Breastfeeding :
I) Breastfeeding :
a) Immediately after delivery enables the contraction of the womb and helps mother to regain
her figure quickly.
b) Is successful when the infant suckles frequently and the mother wanting to breastfeed is
confident of herability to do so.
II) In order to promote and support breastfeeding, the mother’s natural desire to breastfeed should
always be encouraged by giving where needed, practical advice and making sure that she has the
support of her relatives.
III) Adequate care for the breast and nipples should be taken during pregnancy.
IV) It is also necessary to put the infant to the breast as soon as possible after delivery.
V) Let the mother and infant stay together after the delivery, the mother and her infant should be allowed
to stay together (in hospital, this is called ‘rooming-in’).
VI) Give the infant Colostrum as it is rich in many nutrients and its anti-infective factors protect and
infants from infections during the first few days of its birth.
VII) The practice of discarding Colostrum and giving sugar water, honey water, butter or other concoction
instead of Colostrum should be very strongly discouraged.
VIII) Let the infant suckle on demand.
IX) Every effort should be made to breastfeed the infants whenever they cry.
X) Mother should keep her body and clothes and that of the infant always neat and clean.

RAL HEALT
RU H
NATIONAL

Issued by :
MIS N

National Rural Health Mission, J&K

SIO

No. :NRHM-RCH/IEC/592-94
2005 - 2012

Complacency Backfired
Zafar Choudhary
The Kashmir Valley which shuts under
carpet of snow in winters, makes some
economic activity in the summers.
Particularly the months of June, July
and August are always a boom time in
the Valley. Several thousands pilgrims
and tourists through Kashmir everyday
allowing everyone to earn something –
the hotelier, the restaurateur, the
boatman, the taxi operator, the petty
trader and the Poneywalla- all manage
some money in summers to make their
winters comfortable. This year the
much expected boom season had a
violent beginning. The controversy
over allotment of forest land to Shri
Amarnath Shrine Board shut
establishment in entire Kashmir Valley
and spilled people on roads. The
protests which begin over the
concerns of ecology soon assumed the
communal colours with wishful
politicization of issue by several
parties. The dominant discourse in
Kashmir all these days remained for
'Azadi'. The anti-India slogans were
perhaps loudest in last 18 years. After
week-long of pitched battles between
security forces and protestors three
persons have been killed and hundreds
injured. Ending over five years of
'bitter bonhomie' the ruling ally
Peoples Democratic Party has pulled
out of the government triggering
waves of speculations on stability of
Azad Government. The new Governor
NN Vohra in a bid to soothe the
sentiments has now done the
unthinkable. In his capacity as
P R O L O G E
FROM THE EDITOR
Chairman of Shri Amarnath Shrine
Board, he has surrendered claims over
land and asked State Government to
take over pilgrimage affairs. This has
slightly eased the situation but people
in valley are asking for cancellation of
land transfer order. The agitation is
likely to be called off soon with big
hearted overtures of Raj Bhawan and
the government. Unfortunately, what
has broken down in the course is the
myth that peace has returned in
Kashmir and a solution was just a
stone's throw away. The claim that
infrastructural development, laying of
tulip gardens, establishment of
universities etc have taken the public
attention away from the main issue
have proved false in just one week. I
am ready to face any criticism for
making an honest statement in this
column that the problem in Kashmir is
exactly there where it had been five
decades back. Developing
infrastructure is okay for public good
but this can not be substitute for basic
attention on the core issue. If roads
and bridges could have resolved the
issue, a small incident would not have
necessitated slogans for Azadi. Due to
pancity time and compulsions of
deadlines our present issue has not
discussed the contours the basic issue.
Instead, we have just tried to bring in
this issue what all has happened in the
valley.
Feedback :
Zafarchoudhary@epilogue.in
Epilogue Ø
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July 2008
Epilogue
because there is more to know
EPILOGUE aims at providing a
platform where a meaningful
exchange of ideas, opinion and
thoughts can take place among the
people and about the people of
Jammu & Kashmir. The attempt is to
research, investigate, communicate
and disseminate information, ideas
and alternatives for the resolution of
common problems facing the state
and society of Jammu & Kashmir and
in the context of their significance to
South Asia as a whole.
We welcome contributions from
academics, journalists, researches,
economists and strategic thinkers.
We would also like to encourage
first-time writers with the only
requirements being a concern for and
the desire to understand the
prevailing issues and themes of life in
Jammu & Kashmir
Contributions may be investigate,
descriptive, analytical or theoretical.
They may be in the form of original
articles or in the form of a comment on
current events. All contributions have
to be neatly types in double space and
may be sent to the address given
alongside or e-mailed to the editor.
While the editor accepts
responsibility for the selection of the
material published, individual
authors are responsible for the facts,
figures and viess ithe tier articles.

Letters
Mail your letters to editor@epilogue.in
Where is this bus going?
The inauguration of Bus service
connecting the two parts of LoC
separated Kashmir witnessed a
widespread positive response from all
sections of the society. For separated
relatives it was dream reunion across
the Line of Control, for political leaders
either a victory or issue for debate and
it came as a ray of hope for the business
community of the Jammu and Kashmir
state. Given the bottlenecks in
transportation and delivery of
perishable goods at destinations beyond
Delhi, it will be more convenient
especially for the fruit growers to
establish business ties on other side of
the divide. Moreover within the state
and also the interstate trade will also
become competitive as a positive
outcome.
JAVED MIR
Poonch
M A I L B O X
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Economic growth needs matching economic development of different
infrastructure sections of the society.
For sustained economic ties we need to
have basic infrastructure right from the NAZISH IMRAN
production to delivery stages. With the University of Jammu, Jammu
Industrial Policy of state, various
sectors in state have been successful in
taking benefit of various industrial
incentives so there is a sense of eager
preparedness among the industrialists
of not only Kashmir but Jammu and
Ladakh as well. Moreover the
connectivity like road infrastructure is
also conducive to the cross LoC trade as
compared to the trade with other states
in various commodities.
ROHIT BHAT
Delhi University, New Delhi
Inclusive development of all societies
must
Various sections of media reacted
differently to the Gujjar agitation in Give some comparative analysis also
Rajasthan, while some called it a
successful attempt of taking state to Digest of Economy (Epilogue, June
ransom for unjust demands and also 2008) is a welcome feature. In depth
setting bad precedence, other called it analysis of various aspects of
a justified movement to convenience Agriculture research, production and
the Government to undo the historical education has been done. It will be
injustices. The history gujjars useful for the readers if various central
(Epilogue, June 2008) reflects that the and state sector schemes are also
successive state governments in covered in the next issue. Moreover, it
Rajasthan had remained insensitive to needs to be diversified to include the
the socio-economic plight of the Gujjars rural and urban economic trends,
there. Such prolonged accumulated separately, as well.
dissent had to outburst like this sooner
or latter. So the governments must SANDEEP SANTOKKE
strive for an all inclusive and socio- Mukherjee Nagar, New Delhi
Epilogue Ø
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July 2008
 H E A R A N D H E A R

WHO SAID WHAT

By accepting Accession (to India)

we have not mortgaged our honour
and dignity.
Muzzafar Hussain Baig, Deputy Chief Minister

“One thing is clear, forces inside and

outside India don't want free, fair and “I can say this with confidence that
peaceful elections in the Jammu and there cannot be another viable
Kashmir” solution to Kashmir issue than
restoration of autonomy “
AK Antony Defence Minister of India
Dr Farooq Abdullah, Former Chief Minister and
Patron National Conference

“While some are spreading Jehad through AK 47 the

others were doing the same under the garb of “Congress wanted to do a lot more but
constitution and democracy” compulsions of coalition arrangements
come in the way.”
Parveen Togadia,
International General Secretary Vishwa Hindu Parishad Ghulam Nabi Azad, Chief Minister Jammu and Kashmir

“This article (370) has given nothing to
the state (Jammu and Kashmir) except
terrorism, under-development and
unemployment”
Rajnath Singh, BJP National President
“Despite repeated clarifications that
no permanent structure has been
raised, an orchestrated campaign
continues to vitiate the atmosphere”
Lt. Gen (Retd.) SK Sinha, Governor,
Jammu and Kashmir
“It is a litmus test for Jammuites to
either stand by us or get carried away
by the communal propaganda spread
by forces who are hell bent to destroy
our secular ethos.”
Mohammad Yasin Malik, Chairman Jammu and
Kashmir Liberation Front
“The return of National Conference to
power means return of an era of
corruption, nepotism, anarchy and
favoritism”
Mufti Mohammad Sayeed,
Former Chief Minister and Patron Peoples
Democratic Party

Epilogue Ø
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July 2008

Vohra At Raj Bhawan Reflects
New Delhi’s Changing Approach
Epilogue News & Analysis
O
ne of the busiest and most
sought after retired
bureaucrats of country,
Narendra Nath Vohra when
took over as Governor of Jammu and
Kashmir on June 25, he brought along
two remarkable changes –a change of
mindset at the Kashmir policy desks of
New Delhi and a consequential civilian
outlook to the J&K Raj Bhawan. Vohra's
taking over as Governor marked the end
of an 18-year-era of “defensive outlook
of the Raj Bhawan”. After Jagmohan's
unceremonious exit just few months
after he had taken over as Governor for
second term in 1990, the Raj Bhawans in
Jammu and Srinagar continuously
remained occupied by retired military
Generals and intelligence officers.
Without going into roles of these
Governors, one notices a change of New
Delhi's Kashmir policy in appointing
Vohra to the highest post in J&K. The
Governors from the Army and
Intelligence background had
symbolization that all is not well in
Jammu and Kashmir. Appointment of a
Governor with civilian background
reflects that New Delhi is ready to cut
down the Army role.
Replacing Lt Gen (retd) SK Sinha, Vohra
takes over as Governor when state is fast
approaching close to the assembly
elections. There are challenging tasks
ahead for the new Governor who has
already been greeted with violent
situation both in Srinagar in Jammu.
Though he tried to tackle the first
challenge well by handing over the
R E P O R T
CHANGE AT RAJ BHAWAN
Amarnath Pilgrimage affairs to the state
government but the move has back
fired. Another major challenge before
new Governor is the present political
crisis in which Chief Minister Ghulam
Nabi Azad is required to prove his
majority on the floor of the House,
following withdrawal of support by the
ally Peoples Democratic Party. The way
he has tried to handle the situation
during his first four days at Raj Bhawan
gives a feeling that Vohra will further
elevate the prestige of Raj Bhawan.
Government of India's chief interlocutor
on Kashmir since February 19, 2003
Vohra brings with him rich and varied
experiences. Educated at the Punjab
and Oxford Universities, Vohra is a
former member of the Indian
Administrative Service (1959-94).
Epilogue Ø
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July 2008
During his tenure with the Government
of India he served as Secretary
D e f e n c e Pr o d u c t i o n , D e f e n c e
Secretary and Home Secretary. On
retirement in 1994, Vohra was recalled
to serve as Principal Secretary to the
Prime Minister in 1997-1998, Member,
National Security Advisory Board
(1998-2001); Chairman, National Task
force on Internal Security (2000);
Chairman, Institute of Defence Studies
and Analysis Review Committee (1999-
2001); Chairman, Military History
Review Committee (2001-02); Co-
Chairman, India-EU Round Table
(2001). Vohra also served as Director,
India International Centre (1995-1997;
1998-2003).
In February, 2003, he was appointed as
the government of India's interlocutor
for Kashmir by the Prime Minister, Atal
Behari Vajpayee. Even though he had
stepped down from this assignment in
May 2004 when Vajpayee government
lost power but the Manmohan Singh
government allowed him to continue.
He held several rounds of talks with
the separatist leaders apart from the
series of talks with the mainstream
political parties and the
representatives of various social and
trade organizations.
It is interesting to mention here that
ever since his retirement from the
highest bureaucratic echelons in 1994,
Vohra has never remained free of
official assignments even for a single
day.
 I N T E R V I E W
CHANGE AT RAJ BHAWAN

‘I Would Like To Be Remembered For

My Love For The People Of Kashmir’

Exclusive Interview With Zafar Choudhary

How do you describe your five years as Governor of

Lt Gen (retd) Srinivas Kumar Sinha demitted the
office of Jammu and Kashmir Governor on June
25 amidst a communally and regionally sharp
controversy having Raj Bhawan at its Center. 84
years old Gen Sinha who had first served Jammu
and Kashmir in 1947 as an Army Major, faced
criticism and allegations of
political bias. While many
people in Kashmir, mostly
the separatists, accused him
of promoting an Indian
design in Kashmir through
Shri Amarnath Shrine Board
of which he was the
Chairman, the then ally of
ruling coalition, the Peoples
Democratic Party minced no
words in saying that he is
furthering a communal
divide. Verily called as pro-
active Governor, Gen Sinha,
according to contemporaries
was perhaps the most
misunderstood head of the
state in Jammu and Kashmir.
He would frequently visit
shrines and even got many of them repaired but
still earned the charges of communal bias.
In an exclusive interview to EPILOGUE, on the
eve of demitting the Raj Bhawan (the only
interview he gave to any media outlet before
leaving J&K) Gen Sinha says that the only agenda
he pursued during his five years at Raj Bhawan
was the restoration of peace via promotion of
Kashmiriyat.
Jammu and Kashmir?
At the time of demitting office I am happy that I was able to
do what all I wanted to. However, it is different matter
altogether whether I could accomplish that or not.
During my stay as Governor, I wanted peace to
return in Jammu and Kashmir, and according
to me, the most important way of doing that
was to promote Kashmiriyat. I did a lot of
things in that direction but some people with
vested interested always sought to create
controversies. One major example of my
initiatives to promote Kashmiriyat was the
establishment of the Institute of Kashmir
Studies at the University of Kashmir. I got Rs 4
Crores sanctioned for this institute from the
UNESCO. In a high profile function, attended
by top dignitaries from eight countries, we got
this institute inaugurated by the President of
India. Prominent among the dignitaries from
eight South Asian countries included former
Sri Lankan President and Prime Chandrika
Kumaratunga; Gazanfar Khan, a senior
cabinet Minister of Hameed Karzai
government in Afghanistan, daughter of a
famous Pakistani poet Fayaz Mohammad
Fayaz; Editor of leading Pakistani daily the
Dawn and other delegates from Bangla Desh, Nepal, Bhutan
and Maldives. Such a composite gather never took place
before in Kashmir.
This essentially was to promote Kashmiriyat in entire South
Asia. Such was the essence of this occasion that leader the
Pakistan based Sufi musical band said they were in Kashmir
to spread peace through musical jehad. You may also not
that along with Amarnath pilgrimage every year, we (Shri
Amarnath Shrine Board) organize a mega Sufi musical
festival in Kashmir. This year it was the most elaborate

Epilogue Ø
7×
July 2008

event with participation of artists from
Uzbekstan, Syria, Egypt and Pakistan.
Famous Qawwals from Pakistan
performed the play Bulle Shah –all these
initiatives were aimed at spreading
amity and brotherhood.
But unfortunately, look at the events,
how some people with vested interests
doubt every initiative aimed at peace
and create controversies out of nothing.
You asked me about my experiences as
Governor, I say, promotion of peace via
Kashmiriyat was my main agenda all
these years. I put best of my efforts as
an individual but could not see the
results as I had desired.
Often quoting Gandhi and also in your
own observations you have described
Kashmir as a most secular land. At the
time of your demitting office a
controversy is raging across the state
which essentially has communal
colours. What, do you think, went
wrong?
As I already pointed above that there
are certain vested interests
threatening the secular fabric but
secularism still remains dominant
discourse in Kashmir. What Gandhi had
tried to achieve was not only
independence but also high values.
Secularism was most dear to him. He
would often say and prove that Hindus
and Muslims are like his two eyes. In
1947 50,000 troops could not maintain
order in Punjab but at the same time
Gandhi single handedly handled far
more serious situation in Calcutta.
Gandhi was an icon of centuries. I am a
small man. Even Gandhi failed to
prevent partition of country. You can
understand how I could have achieved
as an individual.
I N T E R V I E W
CHANGE AT RAJ BHAWAN
Ever since your taking over as
Governor in 2003, you have been seen
more in public and at projects than at
Raj Bhawan. Can you please enlist
your major contributions state as
being a pro-active Governor?
I have remained and loved remain
among my people particularly their hour
of crisis. This was my deep concern for
the people which drove me out of Raj
Bhawan to serve and help them. This
question reminds of two natural
disasters which saw me among my
people.
In March 2005 there was an
unprecedented snow fall in Kashmir
Valley came to be known as snow
tsunami. When the people of Kashmir
were in the middle of a deep crisis with
the Valley carpeted under snow and all
supply lines snapped, the then Chief
Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was
away in New Delhi inaugurating a photo
exhibition. He had just returned from
abroad and was perhaps wrongly
informed by his aides about the
prevailing situation. When somebody
informed him about the situation,
which had already taken huge human
toll, the Chief Minister said that it was
normal to have snow fall in Kashmir
during winters. Leaving people almost
alone in the crisis, the state Chief
Secretary and Director General of Police
were also camping with the Chief
Minister in New Delhi. Kashmir division's
Divisional Commissioner and Inspector
General of Police were stranded in
Jammu due to bad weather.
I got frantic calls from Srinagar as
people asked for help. I decided not to
stay back at the Raj Bhawan (in
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July 2008
Jammu). It was my understanding that
people feel more confident when relief
and rescue operation is led by a person
while being with them and not
supervised from somewhere else. I took
a chopper flight for Srinagar but due to
adverse weather we could not land
there and had to return to Jammu. I was
told that a more capable Air Force
chopper was to fly from Chandigarh to
Srinagar carrying essential supplies. I
asked them to pick me up from Jammu.
The Air Force people were hesitant in
carrying me as there were no seats in
the carrier chopper. However, the pilot
offered seat of co-pilot and we reached
Srinagar in the evening. The Valley was
under thick snow carpet and we could
not drive to the Raj Bhawan. I
immediately took stock of situation; put
the rescue and relief operations. I had
to spend night at a Army formation but I
was satisfied that people had a sense of
relief and confidence.
Later same year, I was on a tour of Uri
area in North Kashmir. Our chopper lost
balance while touching ground. We
could not understand the reason and
thought there may have been some
technical problem. Meanwhile, I saw a
tower in nearby fields coming down. It
was the October 2008 devastating
earthquake. After landing down, I
immediately rushed to the effected
areas along with Army officers and took
up the rescue and relief operations. For
next two months I kept my self closely
engaged with the relief operations and
ensured that not a single person dies of
neglect.
If my all these activities and
engagements did not go well with some
people I don't have any regrets.
 I N T E R V I E W
CHANGE AT RAJ BHAWAN

Another remarkable achievement which
I would like to count is the improvement
in security situation. When I had joined
here as Governor in 2003, the average
rate of killing in the militancy related
incidents was 10 persons per day now
this stands reduced to two persons. I can
recall when I was sworn in as Governor
on June 4, 2003 there were rifle fires
quite audible in Srinagar City. There was
violence. But I was more confident of
the situation moving forward. For me
the fundamentalism was a more serious
concern than violence. I had dealt with
similar situation earlier also
–particularly during my term as
Governor in Assam.
As far as the development scene of the
state is concerned, in past two and half
years we have achieved what could not
in past 60 years. I can not imagine a
Chief Minister like our Ghulam Nabi
Azad works. In a short span of time he
has transformed Jammu and Kashmir
into a sound development model.
Could you please name one such thing,
for which Gen Sinha would like to be
remembered as Governor of Jammu
and Kashmir?
Well, I would like to be remembered for
my love for the people of Kashmir.
By now it is widely known that your
tenure was marked with running
differences of opinion with a major
p o l i t i c a l p a r t y – t h e Pe o p l e s
Democratic Party –and its leader Mufti
Mohammad Sayeed who was your
Chief Minister for close to two and half
years. Any major reasons you would
like to share on this confrontation.
It is true that I never had cordial
relations with him (Mufti Mohammad
Sayeed). From his party also there often
come highly unbecoming statements. I
would say that in politics you can
criticize anyone to a limit but facts
should not be twisted.
In the controversy (ies) revolving
around Amarnath pilgrimage, it is not
only the Peoples Democratic Party but
a cross section of people across Valley
and an overwhelming majority of
media is criticizing the way Shri
Amarnath Shrine Board –headed by
you as Chairman –is working. Could
you please allay these confusions?
It was disappointing but I would say that
it has more of politics and politics
always heat up in the election year.
Unfortunately some vested interests
are inciting communal passions for their
own narrow ends. Some sections of
media too are resorting to Yellow
Journalism which is regrettable.
Amarnath Yatra is a difficult pilgrimage
and it has to be managed at the cost of
several things. We have taken care of
every aspect. There is absolutely no
truth in what is being projected about
the diversion of land to the Shrine
Board. The land in question has been
used for the yatra purpose for several
decades now. We have had wanted to
raise some temporary structures to
offer some minimum facilities to the
pilgrims. This proposal was with the
government since 2004 and remained in
several stages of consideration and
examination for four years. I wonder
why this controversy erupted all of
sudden.
The most unfortunate part of the
controversy is that it has been given
communal dimensions. There are some
vested interests on both sides. You can
see the case of Mahat Deependra Giri.
We sacked him from the Board and he
went on level dozens of allegations.
Using politics on sensitive affairs like
religion is a strange game.
The most unfortunate thing now we
hear about you as Governor is that
doubts are cast on your secular
credentials. How do you react at this?
Though I am hurt at some outbursts from
some people but I don't see much into it.
I quote J&K's Deputy Chief Minister
and senior leader of Peoples
Democratic Party, Muzaffar Hussain
Baig as saying, “before leaving, the
Governor has set the state on fire”.
How do you respond to this statement
from a person who has remained your
Minister for nearly five years?
It was most unfortunate and I am
surprised to hear this. (Muzaffar
Hussain) Baig had exceptionally good
relations with me. He would frequently
visit me at Raj Bhawan –usually out of
courtesy – and often describe me as his
father. It is strange to note his change of
perception overnight.
Now since you are leaving Jammu and
Kashmir in a day, what are the feelings
you are carrying home?
I have a feeling of satisfaction that I
was able to do what all I had wanted.
There are many other things which I
am now compiling in the shape of a
book. Titles “Recall of Colours –Diary
of a pro-active Governor” is a memoir
of eleven years as Governor in Assam
and Jammu and Kashmir. You will get
to know my other observations in the
book which should be out of press in a
couple of months.

Epilogue Ø
9×
July 2008
 I N F O C U S
AMARNATH POLITICS

Dangerous Politics Around

39 Hectares Of Land

Zafar Choudhary

S
urviving several trying tests of times, Jammu and
Kashmir has always stood by its secular values. Even
the two decades of militancy which had the fighters
drawn from a particular community could not engineer
a communal polarization despite having a huge potential for
it. With rare exceptions, the separatists respected the
sentiments of those opposed to them and vice versa. When
the state is fast returning to normality with a dominant
discourse for resolution of all issues through dialogue the
changing atmosphere is being pushed to a communal milieu.
And at the heart of this avoidable controversy is a religious
pilgrimage to a revered cave shrine in the South Kashmir
Himalayas. This being an election year is offering all the
necessary fuel to put the state on a communal fire which
Jammu and Kashmir has the history of resisting even at the
time when entire sub-continent was burning with hatred.
Raj Bhawan –the most decorated, respected and supposedly
impartial place in any state –emerging as a party to the whole
controversy further stirred a dominant sentiments in
Kashmir Valley as people see an 'Indian plan' in it. After his
five years tenure at the Raj Bhawan, Lt Gen (retd) SK Sinha
before demitting the office of Governor earned worst
criticism in Kashmir Valley. Attacks on the Raj Bhawan were
so sharp that the Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig
went to the extent of saying, “before leaving, the Governor
has put Jammu and Kashmir on fire”. Contemporaries say
that the Raj Bhawan never earned such criticism even in the
time of Jagmohan as Governor who became a hate symbol in

Epilogue Ø
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July 2008
 I N F O C U S
AMARNATH POLITICS

the Valley for his hot pursuits to crush the uprising during his raging politico-religious controversy was yet to show desired
controversial tenure of 1989 and then for few months in 1990. result of settling down passions in the Valley, the sentiments in
When present issue of this magazine was being readied up for Jammu immediately began to boil seeing this as a surrender of
printing, the Kashmir Valley was badly in the grip of violence. Raj Bhawan.
Three youths had already been killed in
retaliatory firing by security forces and The weeklong protests were rare in their
more than 150 reported injured at In a bid to soothe the agitated terms of their spread across the length
several places. sentiments in Kashmir Valley, and breadth of Kashmir Valley including
the new Governor NN Vohra the rural areas. Kashmir Valley has a
First time ever in the history of any handed over the Amarnath history of protests and shut downs but
pilgrimage in the state, the Amarnath pilgrimage affairs to the state such responses mostly remained limited
pilgrims had been attacked twice by the to the urban centers. This was first time
mobsters leaving eight of them injured.
government. By an act of state that rural areas were equally involved.
As the controversy assumed purely legislature enacted in 2000, the The Police and security forces felt
communal proportions, in Jammu the Amarnath pilgrimage is helpless as mobs in tens of thousands
Hindu nationalist organizations like BJP, managed by the Shri Amarnath went on rampage pelting stones on the
VHP, Bajrag Dal and Shiv Sena etc forced a chasing cops and vandalizing the public
Shrine Board which is chaired by
shutdown and spilled over roads with property. All efforts of Police top brass
offensive slogans and much offensive the Governor. While Governor and civil administration to take the civil
weapons in their hands. The Muslim Vohra's this move to get the Raj society seniors in confidence for amicable
minority in Jammu and the much Bhawan rid of raging politico- resolution of issue failed. Killing of three
miniscule Hindu minority in Kashmir had youth in Police firing drew almost every
religious controversy was yet to
a reason to feel insecure in the prevailing Kashmiri on the streets and for once,
circumstances.
show desired result of settling
particularly after Friday prayers on June
down passions in the Valley, the 27, the situated resembled to the one
The main partner in the ruling coalition sentiments in Jammu which prevailed in Kashmir Valley in early
Peoples Democratic Party pulled out of immediately began to boil seeing 1990s. Standing atop any building at the
the government engineering a state of this as a surrender of Raj historic Lal Chowk one could see nothing
instability. In a bid to soothe the agitated else than thousands of heads as slogans of
sentiments in Kashmir Valley, the new Azadi rented the air. Within next few
Governor NN Vohra handed over the Amarnath pilgrimage minutes a dozen of youth climbed the clock tower –Central
affairs to the state government. By an act of state legislature Kashmir's most legendary hallmark –unfurling the green flags
enacted in 2000, the Amarnath pilgrimage is managed by the at its top. These green flags have many interpretations
Shri Amarnath Shrine Board which is chaired by the Governor. –symbols of Islam or affection for Pakistan. Your guess is as
While Governor Vohra's this move to get the Raj Bhawan rid of obvious as ours.

Blind Decision
It all happened on May 20 when a
meeting of the state cabinet approved
diversion of a little over 39 hectares of
land around Baltal in Sindh Forest
division of Central Kashmir's Ganderbal
district to the Shri Amarnath Shrine
Board for creating facilities for the
pilgrims. There were immediate
reactions from the political groups. The
earlier reactions came from the
Kashmir's press raising concerns over
the fragile ecology of area. Home to
glaciers, this area has a precarious
ecology and the environmentalists and
geologists have voiced concerns over
human activity there. Any construction
of permanent structures in the area has
always been fraught with dangerous
ecological consequences. Interestingly,
taking care of all environmental
safeguards the state government's order
of land diversion clearly mentions that
no permanent structures are allowed to
be constructed in this piece of forest
land. However the pictures released by
Action Committee on land transfer
clearly show at least half dozen
concrete structures having come up
near Baltal. The Amarnath Shrine Board
had acquired this land for raising
prefabricated structures for facilities of

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July 2008

the pilgrims during the two month long
pilgrimage. But the Raj Bhawan and
state government failed to project
these safeguards and actual nature of
use of land thus allowing all to draw
their own inferences. From Raj Bhawan
to Civil Secretariat no one is ready to
own up these structures. Not only this,
both the Governor and Chief Minister
have been repeatedly claiming that no
concrete structure has been reaised on
the controversial land. The spot
pictures tell a different story which
contradict both and further fuel the
protest. Without doubting the Governor
and the CM one can atleast conclude
that they are not properly informed
about actual position of land at Baltal.
Separatists came in strong opposition of
the move. The transfer of Kashmir's land
to the SASB headed by the Governor had
such strong repercussions of resistance
that several separatist outfits buried
their wide ranging differences carried
on for years and joined hands to oppose
the move. It was first time in five years
that leaders of two factions of All
Parties Hurriyat Conference –Syed Ali
Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq
–were seen together. The controversy
just stopped short of uniting all
separatist outfits under a single
umbrella organization as was the case in
early 1990s.
However, the separatists formed a joint
action committee, Action Committe on
Land Transfer (ACLT), which piloted
protests across the Kashmir Valley. The
opposition to the land transfer
continued at the political level for
nearly a month and violent protests
erupted only after the pilgrimage
actually commenced on June 18 and the
media pictures showed some concrete
structures like boundary walls coming
up on the controversial land.
I N F O C U S
AMARNATH POLITICS
PDP’s role : In proposing and
opposing land transfer
As learnt from the official records and
file noting of three years, the Peoples
Democratic Party had all along been a
party to allotment of land to the Shri
Amarnath Shrine Board. It was actually
in 2004 when the Shrine Board put a
proposal before the government
Taking advantage of the violent
opportunity, the National
Conference stepped ahead of even
the separatists to denounce the
land diversion. NC president
Omar Abdullah conveniently
ignored that it was his party
which had created the SASB.
His father and them CM Dr
Farooq Abdullah is on record
having said on October 19, 2000
(when SASB bill was being
debated in Upper House of
legislature) that Board will raise
permanent structure for facilities
of pilgrims
requisitioning forest land for creating
facilities for the pilgrims. The cabinet
which decided the transfer of land to
SASB had Ministers from both PDP and
the Congress. When the public outcry
broke out in the Valley, the PDP sought
to wash its hands off and shifted all
blame on the Congress ignoring the fact
that since 2005 the Forests Department,
owner of the said land, had remained
with the PDP's Minister in the Cabinet.
At a press conference on June 25, the
Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad
released a document carrying full
background of the land transfer case.
According to the document the Shri
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July 2008
Amarnath Shrine Board had put proposal
before the government for acquiring
land way back in 2004. In 2005, a piece
of land was promptly sanctioned to the
Board but soon after the then Forest
Minister Sofi Ghulam Mohiuddin (an
independent legislator) rolled it back on
the grounds that some technical
requirements had been overlooked.
However, the proposal was revised and
again put before the Forest
Department.
In November 2005, PDP's Tariq Hameed
Karra took over as Forest Minister and in
August 2006 the department was
handed over to Qazi Mohammad Afzal,
also of PDP. From 2005 to 2008, the
proposal remained at various stages of
discussions, considerations and
technical examination. The Cabinet in
its meeting on July 25, 2008 –attended
by all PDP members –approved transfer
of 39.88 Hectares of land to the Shri
Amarnath Shrine Board after the
proposal had been duly approved by the
Forest Department headed by Qazi
Mohammad Afzal and Law Department
headed by Muzaffar Hussain Baig –both
from the Peoples Democratic Party.
The PDP, however, upped the ante
against the land diversion only when it
saw entire Kashmir Valley standing
against the land diversion decision.
There was apparently an imminent
threat to its constituency. Skirting all
the questions as how its Ministers
allowed to it happen, the PDP trained
guns at the Chief Minister and Raj
Bhawan on the issue. Pulling out from
the government had become all the
more politically compulsive for the PDP
when the angry protests in Kashmir
Valley held PDP equally responsible with
Congress and the Shrine Board.
The following backgrounder details a
complete sequence of events on the
transfer of land to Shri Amarnath Shrine
Board.
 I N
AMARNATH POLITICS
Question of Ecology
Experts on glaciology have always fear rapid
environmental degradation, ecological “imbalance”
and adverse impact on the Nehnar glacier, situated at a
height of 3700 metres to 4200 metres around Baltal in
northern Kashmir if the Baltal route was allowed to be
used by pilgrims to Amarnath cave, abode of lord Shiva
and his consort Parvati.
According to Prof M.N. Kaul, who has served as Principal
Investigator on glaciology in the Department of Science
and Technology “the ecology, the environment and the
health of the glacier can be under severe threat in case
the Baltal route to the holy cave was frequented by
thousands of pilgrims.”
Today there are 6500 glaciers in the Himalayan regions
in India and out of that 3136 glacier are in the mountain
belt of Jammu and Kashmir, most of them in the Ladakh
Background
The pilgrimage to the Holy Shrine of
Amarnath has been going on for
centuries. The local population had
always taken an active role in helping
the pilgrims in performing the
pilgrimage. The State Government
also had been involved in making
arrangements for the pilgrimage.
Indeed, the Deputy Commissioner of
the erstwhile Anantnag District used
to be designated as the Yatra Officer
and was made responsible by the
Government for the smooth conduct
of the Yatra.
Need for permanent structures
With the passage of time, it was felt
necessary to build sufficiently strong
structures enroute the Holy Shrine
which could withstand the fury of the
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July 2008
F O C U S
region. These glaciers constitute 13 per cent of the
state's total land and if allowed to assume strength year
after year we can generate 80,000 MWs of electricity.
Kaul, who remained Head of the Department of
Geography in Jammu University before joining the
Department of Science and Technology, has carried out
research on glaciers. He said heavy pilgrim traffic
besides mountain expeditions result in depletation of
glacier and environmental degradation. He explained
that “this depletion and degradation are the result of
human breath, refuse and land erosion.” When snow
turns into ice it allows galcier to gain weight and size.
The top of the glacier is called accumulation zone and
the base the abelation which register evaporation and
melting owing the human ingress and global warming.
Since the inception of militancy in Jammu and Kashmir
in 1989 no field study on the behaviour of the glaciers in
the Baltal area and other belts of Ladakh has been done
because the experts could not work under stress and
scare of militant activities.
elements during the winters and also
provide shelter to the pilgrims incase
the weather turned hostile during the
course of the Yatra. The need for such
structures was reinforced in 1996
when a very large number of pilgrims
died during a blizzard lasting 4 days.
Thereafter, some structures in the
form of toilets and sarais were put up
at vulnerable points enroute the
Shrine.
Formation of Shrine Board
In order to institutionalize the
arrangements for the smooth
conduct and management of the
pilgrimage to the Holy Shrine of
Amarnath the State Legislature
passed the Jammu & Kashmir
Amarnath Shrine Act 2000. The Bill
had been piloted by the Tourism
Department pursuant to the Cabinet

Let facts be facts
BGSBU not on forest land; in fact land turned into forest
When war breaks out truth is always
the first casualty. What is happening
in Jammu and Kashmir these days,
following transfer of land to Amarnath
Shrine Board, is purely the war of
vested political interests and
communalism. To give a communal
colour to an issue of ecological
concerns, several responsible
political leaders and even much
responsible media persons have
questioned the allotment of land to
the Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah
University to justify the diversion of
forest land to Amarnath Shrine Board.
They question the silence of
environmentalists and other
passionate agitators transfer of 'forest
land' to Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah
University at Rajouri.
decision no. 182/16 dated October, 10,
2000.
Amarnath Shrine Act received the
assent of the Governor on November,
14, 2000 and the Act was enforced vide
notification SRO 54 dated February, 12,
2001 with effect from February, 21,
2001.
Demand for land
A Project Report was received by the
State Government in the Forest
Department dated October, 15, 2004
from the CEO Amarnath Shrine Board
requesting for the transfer of 3642
kanals of Land for 7 halting places on
the Baltal Amarnath Shrine and
Chandanwari Amarnath Shrine routes.
The matter was examined in the Forest
I N F O C U S
AMARNATH POLITICS
The university is funded by Wakfs has
Chief Minister as its chancellor and
therefore such questions whether from
politicians or media persons, have
clearly communal overtones. The fact
of the matter, however, is that not even
a single inch of forest land stands
transferred to the BGSB University.
When the government was looking for
land in 2004, a forest land had first
come to mind. However, the idea was
dropped even before putting it on any
paper. The than project Director of the
University, who later took over as first
Vice Chancellor, Masud Chaudhary
parleyed with the local people to
acquire their private land. Out of the
6000 kanals of land over 90% was the
ownership property of local people.
Department at various levels and the
case was finally submitted to the
Minister by the Principal Secretary of
the Forest Department recommending
that the proposal be approved.
The Minister of Forests and Environment
recorded his decision on March, 28,
2005 as under :-
“If there is no violation of the J&K
Forest (Conservation) Act 1997 and the
Cabinet decision regarding diversion of
Forest Land, the proposal at para 13 &
14 of the departmental note file is
approved with the conditions laid down
in para m ante of the file.”
The Forest Department then issued a
Government Order no. 148-FST of 2005
dated March, 29, 2005 granting
permission to Amarnath Shrine Board
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July 2008
The university had offered to pay for
the land but the local owners preferred
to donate at VC’s behest. Leave aside
the perceptions of forest land, the
BGSB University offers a unique model
of land acquisition with voluntary
community participation which could
have been replicated in places like
Singur and Nandigram. The remaining
portion of land belonged to the state as
non forest nazool land and was
subsequently bought at the prevailing
rates. It is also interesting to mention
here that the land under BGSB
University Campus was a barren hillock
which in last two years has been
converted into a look like of forest with
plantation of two lakhs of plants.
Country's one of the best biodiversity
park is now at BGSB University.
for using the Forest Land for
constructing prefabricated structures
for Yatris in compartment No. 21/AC.
8/AC. 6/AC of Lidder Forest Division and
compartment No. 62 of Sindh Forest
Division. In the meanwhile, it was learnt
that some people had already agitated
the matter before the High Court of J&K
vide OWP No. 732/2004 in Rampal
Bathonia Vs. State. The High Court on
April, 15, 2005 ordered as under :-
“Since the Board intends to upgrade the
infrastructure across the tracks and at
different places, the State shall,
immediately permit the use of Forest
Land by the Board, if not already
allowed, to enable it to carry out the
developmental activities for the benefit
of the Yatris. I am informed that Forest
Department has already granted
permission to the Board for the purpose”.

Amarnath Pilgrimage : Legend And Faith
Reportedly 5000 years old, the cave
shrine of Amarnath, in South Kashmir
Himalayas, finds mention in ancient
Hindu texts. It is said that a Muslim
family of Gujjar shepherd
discovered cave in which a saint gave
him a bag of coals which turned into
gold coins. This had the village
excited leading to belief that the
cave is the home of lord Shiva.
Another legend says that a Hindu
rishi, Kashyap drained the lake of
Kashmir and found the cave along
with the lingam (stalagmite) in it.
The recent history of pilgrimage
dates back to some 160 years. Local
Court's opinion
The State Government went in appeal
to the Division Bench of the High Court.
The Division Bench vide its interim
directions on May, 17, 2005 ordered as
under :-
“The land to be allotted by the Board
would be only for the purposes of user
and would remain limited for the
duration of Yatra. The Board shall also
identify the sites to be allotted for the
purpose of Langar, erection of
detachable/prefabricated Huts and
toilets etc. which would not be
permanent in nature and are liable to be
removed after the period of Yatra is
over. The Board shall identify the
person/agency to whom the site would
be allotted so as to enable the State
Government to screen the antecedents
of the said person/agency. Incase the
State Government may have any valid
objections in regard to any of the person
or agency then permission shall not be
granted to the person/agency and in
I N F O C U S
AMARNATH POLITICS
Muslims playing host to the pilgrims
made it one of the most secular
p i l g r i m a g e o f t h e c o u n t r y.
Stalagmite in the holy Cave is a
popular pilgrimage destination for
Hindus - about 400,000 people visit
around the festival of Shravani Mela in
July-August, coinciding with the
Hindu holy month of Shravan.
Devotees generally take the 42 km
pilgrimage on foot from the town of
Pahalgam, about 96 km) from
Srinagar, and cover the journey in four
to five days. There are two alternate
routes to the temple: the longer and
more traditional path from Anantnag,
that eventuality the Board shall make
alternate arrangement.”
The weeklong protests were rare
in their terms of their spread
across the length and breadth of
Kashmir Valley including the
rural areas. Kashmir Valley has
a history of protests and shut
downs but such responses mostly
remained limited to the urban
centers. This was first time that
rural areas were equally involved
Earlier, on May, 5, 2005 the Chief
Conservator of Forests, Kashmir had
sought a clarification from the Principal
Chief Conservator Forests J&K whether
the Land was to be allowed to be used by
the Amarnath Shrine Board free of cost or
on royalty basis. The Principal Chief
Conservator of Forests J&K referred the
matter to the Government for Orders.
Epilogue Ø
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July 2008
and the shorter route from Baltal (see
map on Page 17). According to legend,
lord Shiva is said to have recounted to
Parvati the secret of creation in the
Amarnath cave, and this has since
become the sight of major annual
pilgrimage. However, unknown to
Shiva and Parvati, a pair of mating
pigeons eavesdropped on this
conversation and having learned the
secret, are reborn again and again,
making the cave their eternal abode.
Many pilgrims report seeing the pair
of pigeons when they trek the arduous
route to pay obeisance before the ice-
lingam, the phallic symbol of Shiva.
Controversy
On receipt of the letter dated May, 20,
2005 from the Principal Chief
Conservator of Forests J&K, the matter
was re-examined. After re-
examination, the following
observations were made by the
Commissioner/Secretary Forests and
the case was submitted to the Minister
for Forest on May, 20, 2005 :-
“It is apparent that the Government
Order issued is not fully in the same
spirit as the order passed at para 15.
Same shall be withdrawn as proposed.
The PCCF shall be asked to process the
case on overriding priority basis under
the relevant provisions of the Forest
Conservation Act and Cabinet decisions
on the subject. A fresh order shall be
issued after the required procedure is
followed (expeditiously) and all
aspects, including the applicable Court
directives, are taken into account”.
The Forest Minister then approved that

the Government Order No. 148 FST of
2005 dated March, 29, 2005 should be
withdrawn. Accordingly, Government
Order no. 210-FST of 2005 dated May,
20, 2005 read with corrigendum dated
May, 20, 2005 was issued withdrawing
the earlier Order. In the meanwhile, the
Chief Secretary had received some
complaints against Government Order
no. 148-FST of 2005 dated March, 29,
2005. The Chief Secretary on May, 21,
2005 advised the GAD to call for the file
of the Forest Department and examine
the matter. The GAD called for the file
of the Forest Department and re-
examined it.
The re-examination of the case
revealed the following :-
The provisions of the Forest
(Conservation) Act had been violated as
the proposal was not considered or
placed before the Forest Advisory
Committee / Cabinet for orders.
Unnecessary haste was shown to allow
SASB to utilize the said Land. The
Minister of Forests was not advised
properly and his observations were not
considered before issuing the
Government Order no. 148-FST of 2005
dated March, 29, 2005 granting
permission to the SASB for using the
Forest Land for non forestry purposes.
There were no compelling reasons for
the Forest Department to issue the
impugned Order.
Governor writes to Government
In the meanwhile, H.E. the Governor
sent a message to the Council of
Ministers on May, 25, 2005 under section
44(c) of the Constitution of J&K urging it
to re-consider the decision to withdraw
Government order no. 148-FST of 2005
dated March, 29, 2005.
I N F O C U S
AMARNATH POLITICS
The cabinet considered the message
from H.E. the Governor in its meeting
held on June, 7, 2005 and vide its
decision no. 109/8 decided as under :-
“Cabinet desired that the copy of the
reference from H.E. the Governor and
the memorandum of the Chief Minister
be circulated among all the Cabinet
Ministers and the matter be discussed in
the next Cabinet Meeting. –
Memorandum of the Chief Minister and
the message from H.E. the Governor
annexed herewith.”
As learnt from the official records
and file noting of three years, the
Peoples Democratic Party had all
along been a party to allotment
of land to the Shri Amarnath
Shrine Board. It was actually in
2004 when the Shrine Board
put a proposal before the
government requisitioning forest
land for creating facilities for the
pilgrims. The cabinet which
decided the transfer of land to
SASB had Ministers from both
PDP and the Congress
There is no record to indicate whether
the matter came up before the Cabinet
for discussion as desired by it.
Fresh survey and expert opinion
The case then remained under
correspondence between the office of
the PCCF and the Amarnath Shrine
Board. The Land was jointly surveyed to
assess the requirement of the Amarnath
Shrine Board on the Baltal Amarnath
Shrine axis in the first instance. As a
Epilogue Ø
16 ×
July 2008
result of the Joint survey an area of
39.88 hectares was recommended for
being diverted for non forestry purposes
for the use of the Amarnath Shrine
Board in 2007. The Forest Land
measuring 39.88 hectares fell under
compartment no. 63a/Sindh, in Block
Kullan, Range Sindh, Sindh Forest
Division. The land was recommended
for being used for raising prefabricated
structures only for camping purposes of
pilgrims, without going in for
permanent structures at Baltal and
Domail.
The matter was placed before the
Forest Advisory Committee, which is
headed by the Chief Secretary and has
among others, the Principal Secretary
of the Forest Department, Principal
Secretary Planning and Development
Department, Commissioner/Secretary
Finance Department, the Principal
Chief Conservator Forests, the Chief
W i l d L i f e Wa r d e n , F i n a n c i a l
Commissioner Revenue, Director Soil
Conservation Department, Director
Environment and Remote Sensing
Department, Sadiq Ali Ex-MLA, Dr. S.P.S
Datta Ex-HOD Department of
Environment Jammu University as
Members. Conservator Working Plan and
Research Circle is the Member
Secretary. Commissioner/Secretary
Law had been invited as a special
invitee for this meeting. The Committee
was initially supposed to meet on June,
28, 2007 but the meeting had to be
postponed due to the visit of the
Pa r l i a m e n t a r y C o m m i t t e e o n
Environment. The meeting was finally
held on July, 12, 2007.
Since the proposed area was adjacent to
the Thajwas sanctuary the Advisory
Committee sought the opinion of the
Chief Wild Life Warden. The Chief Wild
Life Warden informed the Committee

that he had already submitted his
report under no. WLP/Tech/1971/07
dated June, 11, 2007 after spot
inspection on May, 27, 2007. The
relevant portion is reproduced as
under:-
“It was noticed that the proposed site
for construction of Amarnath Shrine
Board Complex, falling in the
compartment 63(s)/Sindh/Kullan is
located on the right side of Sindh
rivulet. The proposed complex does not
seem to have any significant impact on
the ecology of Thajwas Wild Life
Sanctuary. The apprehensions of DFO
Sindh and Wild Life Warden, Central,
that the said complex may have adverse
impact on the Wild Life sanctuary
appeared to be 'Over Cautious' and
environmentally conservative
approach. It is also given to understand
that the Amarnath Shrine Board is using
prefabricated structures as such likely
pollution due to discharge of muck and
garbage etc. should not be significant.
I N F O C U S
AMARNATH POLITICS
It is presumed that Amarnath Shrine
Board will take necessary
environmental safeguards as applicable
for such development Projects.”
In view of the above report of the Chief
Wild Life Warden, the Forest Advisory
Committee cleared the diversion of the
requisitioned Forest Land to the
Amarnath Shrine Board on the standard
terms and conditions of the
Government.
Legal confusion
Earlier on April, 27, 2007 in the case
titled T.N. Godavaraman Vs. Union of
India and Others the Supreme Court had
directed that “all cases where
clearance was given by the Forest
Advisory Committee should be placed
before the Supreme Court for approval
…. A copy of the clearance should also
be given to the Central Empowered
Committee (CEC) so that CEC would give
its response to the clearance
Epilogue Ø
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July 2008
expeditiously. The Supreme Court had
stated that it would thereafter,
examine each clearance and decide
whether to grant or not to grant the
approval thereto.”
The Forest Department requested the
Law Department on June, 4, 2007 to
give its opinion on whether this order of
the Supreme Court dated April, 27, 2007
was applicable to the State of Jammu
and Kashmir. The Law department
opined on July, 16, 2007 as under :-
“The order of the Supreme Court dated
April, 27, 2007 is with regard to the
Forest Conservation (Central) Act, and
rules framed thereunder. The said Act is
not applicable to the State as Forest
continues to be in the State List. Earlier,
similar case was examined and vide DO
no. LD(Opn) 2006/77-FST dated March,
6, 2007 the Department was advised to
move an application before the Court to
the effect that Forest Conservation Act,
1990 (Central Act) is not applicable to

the State. The State has its own Forest
Act as well as Forest Conservation Act
1997 and seek clarification from the
Court. The department is advised to
pursue the said matter vigorously with
the Supreme Court and await
clarification in the matter.”
The Forest Department then
incorporated the view of the Law
Department on the subject and
prepared a memorandum for submission
to the Cabinet. After obtaining the
approval of the Minister for Forests on
July, 17, 2007 the Forest Department
referred the memorandum to the GAD
for placing the matter before the
Cabinet. The GAD returned the file to
the Forest Department on August, 1,
2007 requesting them to intimate
whether the Supreme Court has passed
any Order in the case titled T.N.
Godavarman Vs. Union of India and
Others on July, 20, 2007, i.e. the date
when the case was listed for hearing.
Meanwhile, the Principal Chief
Conservator Forests (PCCF) vide his
letter no. PCCF/FC/GEN./5/106 dated
July, 21, 2007 had approached the
Central Empowered Committee
constituted by the Supreme Court
regarding clarification about the
aforesaid order of the Apex Court. The
Central Empowered Committee vide
their letter no. 1/26/CEC/SC/2007-Pt.
XXIII dated July, 26, 2007 opined as
under :-
“The non forest use of the Forest Land
falling within the State of Jammu &
Kashmir is governed by the provisions of
the Jammu & Kashmir Forest
(Conservation) Act, 1990 and not by the
Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. In view
of the above the CEC is of the view that
the Supreme Court's order dated April,
27, 2007 regarding the functioning of
I N F O C U S
AMARNATH POLITICS
the Forest Advisory Committee
constituted under section 3 of the
Forest (Conservation) Act, is not
applicable in respect of the proposals
examined by the State Level Advisory
Committee constituted under the
Jammu & Kashmir Forest (Conservation)
Act, 1990 as amended from time to
time”
The cabinet which decided the
transfer of land to SASB had
Ministers from both PDP and the
Congress. When the public outcry
broke out in the Valley, the PDP
sought to wash its hands off and
shifted all blame on the Congress
ignoring the fact that since 2005
the Forests Department, owner of
the said land, had remained
with the PDP's Minister in the
Cabinet
Deputy Chief Minister's approval
The Forest Department again sought the
advice of the Law Department on the
opinion of the CEC on August, 4, 2007.
The law department advised on
September, 24, 2007 as under :-
“The views of the Central Empowered
Committee regarding the applicability
of the orders of the Supreme Court is
their opinion. The said opinion
confirms the views of this Department.
However, it would be safe, as advised
earlier to bring the legal position in
the notice of the Supreme Court and
seek their clarification as the State has
its own Forest (Conservation) Act of
1990.”
Epilogue Ø
18 ×
July 2008
The Forest Department, thereafter,
considered it appropriate to seek the
opinion of the learned Advocate General
in the matter. Accordingly, the matter
was referred to the learned Advocate
General for advice on October, 5, 2007.
The learned Advocate General opined as
under on November, 8, 2007 :-
“I have gone through the order dated
April, 27, 2007 passed by the Supreme
Court. Since neither the Forest
(Conservation) Act of 1980 nor Forest
(Conservation) Rules made there under
are applicable to the State of J&K. J&K
Sate is governed by the J&K Forest
(Conservation) Act 1997 and Forest
(Conservation) Rules 2000. The Forest
Advisory Committee has been
constituted under the aforesaid Forest
(Conservation) Rules.
Therefore, the order dated April, 27,
2007 does not have any applicability
with respect to State of Jammu &
Kashmir in as much as since the Forest
(Conservation) Act of 1980 and the Rules
made there under are not applicable to
State of J&K. More so, a communication
issued by the CEC on July, 27, 2007
which is on file had clarified that the
order of the Supreme Court dated April,
27, 2007 regarding the functioning of
the Forest Advisory Committee under
section 3 of the Forest (Conservation)
Act is not applicable in respect of
proposals examined by the State Level
Advisory Committee constituted under
the J&K Forest (Conservation) Act of
1997. It is as such advised that order
dated April, 27, 2007 does not pertain to
J&K State and proposals in J&K have to
be examined by the Forest Advisory
Committee constituted under the J&K
Forest (Conservation) Act of 1997 and
Rules made there under.”
Thereafter, the recommendations of

the Advisory Committee along with the
views of the Law Department and the
learned Advocate General were placed
before the Minister for Forest and
Environment on November, 21, 2007.
The Minister of Forests and Environment
approved the submission of the proposal
to the Cabinet on January, 3, 2008. The
matter was then examined in the
General Administration Department
(GAD). The GAD again returned the file
on February, 4, 2008 to the Forest
Department with the remarks that it
should be placed before the Deputy
Chief Minister in view of two different
opinions given by the learned Advocate
General and the Law Department.
The Forest Department then placed the
matter before the Deputy Chief Minister
(Minister in charge of Law) on February,
5, 2008. Deputy Chief Minister opined as
under on February, 6, 2008 :-
“There is no material difference
between the opinion of the learned
Advocate General and that of the Law
Department. Law Department, by way
of abundant caution, seeks to obtain
clarification of the Supreme Court. I
concur with the view of the Central
Empowered Committee and the learned
Advocate General.”
Forest Minister's approval
After obtaining the opinion of the
Deputy Chief Minister (Minister in
charge of Law) the Forest Department
resubmitted the case to the Cabinet.
The matter was brought before the
cabinet on February, 26, 2008. The
Cabinet deferred the case along with a
few other proposals for diversion of
Forest Lands for non Forestry purposes.
Subsequently, the Forest Department
constituted a Committee under the
Chairmanship of the Chief Wild Life
I N F O C U S
AMARNATH POLITICS
Warden vide Govt. order no. 108-FST of
2008 dated Marcy, 17, 2008 to examine
the feasibility of diversion of Forest
Land, viz a viz Wildlife perspective for
various developmental activities
including construction of Roads in Baltal
– Ranga – Domail area of Ganderbal
District as requested by Amarnath
Shrine Board.
The Committee submitted its report
vide letter dated May, 7, 2008. The
relevant extract of the Committee's
report is reproduced as under:-
“The proposed camping sites of
Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), complex
comprising 39.88 hectares of Forest
Land (30.88 hectares at Baltal and 9
hectares at Domail) fall in the Forest
Compartment no. 63/Sindh of Sindh
Forest Division, Forest Department.
These proposed camping sites are
located on the right side of the Sindh
River. The camping sites do not involve
any area of Thajwas Wild Life Sanctuary,
which is located on the left side of River
Sindh. The Forest Compartment no.
63/Sindh and Thajwas Wild Life
Sanctuary are divided by the Sindh
River. The representative of SASB
informed that SASB will be using
prefabricated structures for the
camping purpose of the pilgrims and will
not go for construction of permanent
structures.”
“The Committee also recommends that
Amarnath Shrine Board should take all
possible environmental safeguards in
consultation with the State Pollution
Control Board to ensure that no damage
is caused to the ecology of the area.”
In view of the recommendation of the
Advisory Committee, the opinion of the
Law Department, the opinion of the
learned Advocate General, the opinion
of the Deputy Chief Minister (Minister
Epilogue Ø
19 ×
July 2008
incharge of Law) and the report of the
Committee constituted vide
government order no. 108/FST of 2008
dated March, 17, 2008 the Forest
Department felt that diversion of 39.88
hectares of Forest Land to Amarnath
Shrine Board at Baltal/Domail be
agreed only for raising prefabricated
structures for camping purposes of
pilgrims without going in for
construction of permanent structures,
after taking all possible environmental
safeguards in consultation with the
State Pollution Control Board prior to
them being put to use by the pilgrims to
ensure that no damage is caused to the
ecology of the area.
The matter was then submitted to the
Minister for Forests and Environment.
In view of the recommendation of the
Advisory Committee, the opinion of the
Law Department, the opinion of the
learned Advocate General, the opinion
of the Deputy Chief Minister (Minister
incharge of Law) and the report of the
Committee constituted vide Govt. order
no. 108/FST of 2008 dated March, 17,
2008, the Forest Minister cleared the
proposal of diversion of 39.88 hectares
of Land to Amarnath Shrine Board and
approved its placement before the
Cabinet for consideration on May, 17,
2008.
Cabinet Approval
The Cabinet, on May, 20, 2008, vide its
decision no. 94/7 approved the proposal
of the Forest Department for diversion
of 39.88 hectares of Forest Land to
Amarnath Shrine Board at Baltal and
Domail and Government Order No. 184
FST of 2008 dated May, 26, 2008 was
issued containing the terms and
conditions for the use of the Forest Land
by Amarnath Shrine Board.

Understanding The Naxalite
Movement : A Unique Report
Devyani Srivastava
A
nalysis of the bourgeoning
Naxal movement in India has
often pitted itself through the
security versus development
framework, with an implicit assertion of
the need to strike a balance between the
two. Media reports, independent
analysis, government accounts (mainly
the MHA status reports), human rights
organization's reports, and books by
observers of the movement have each
studied different aspects of the
movement separately ranging from its
historical genesis to its unique
characteristics in the Naxal-affected
states to its strategies and tactics. A
comprehensive study of the causes and
success of the Naxalite movement,
particularly of its current phrase, has
been missing from this repository of
information. The Planning Commission's
report successfully fills this lacuna.
An Expert group was set up by the
Planning Commission on “Development
Issues to deal with the causes of
Discontent, Unrest and Extremism” in
May 2006 headed by D Bandopadhya, a
retired IAS officer known for
implementing land reforms in West
Bengal. Its other members ranged from S
R Sankaran, head of the Committee of
Concerned Citizens in Andhra Pradesh,
Prakash Singh, former DGP of Uttar
Pradesh, Ajit Doval, former director of
Intelligence Bureau, BD Sharma, a
retired bureaucrat and activist, Sukhdeo
Thorat, UGC chairman and K Balagopal, a
human rights lawyer. The task set out
before the committee was to “identify
S E C U R I T Y
NAXAL VIOLENCE
processes and causes contributing to
continued tensions and alienation in the
areas of unrest and discontent…” in the
background of mounting Naxal activities
in Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar,
Jharkhand, and Orissa. Through a series
of meetings and couple of field visits,
the report prepared by the committee
accomplishes its objective in full spirit,
and provides a comprehensive,
insightful and a sensitive account of the
Naxal movement.
The most distinguishing feature of the
report is its systematic deconstruction
of the structural and historical
injustices of the social and economic
systems that has created space for the
growth of the Naxalite movement. It
therefore studies the various factors
leading to unrest such as social and
political discrimination of Dalits and
Adivasis (comprising 16 per cent and 8
per cent of India's population
respectively), lack of access to basic
resources such as land and forests, and
displacement of people from their land,
through the lens of deep rooted social,
cultural and economic practices. This
explains why the various measures
taken by governments, irrespective of
party affiliations, have fallen short of
ameliorating the conditions of the
deprived. The health status, the literacy
rate, and access to electricity in
Scheduled areas are found to be far
worse than that of other sections of
society. The Scheduled Caste and
Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of
Atrocities) Act, 1989, envisaged to
Epilogue Ø
20 ×
July 2008
penalize discrimination, has not been
actualized to its full potential. Even
the empowerment of the local bodies
as envisaged by the 73rd amendment to
the Constitution remains a mere
promise. The social alienation of the
deprived classes has been further
compounded by the development
paradigm pursued since
Independence. Its emphasis on
“modernization and mechanization,
export orientation, diversification to
produce for the market, withdrawal of
various subsidy regimes and exposure
to global trade,” has further hurt the
poor in many ways.
Through such an approach, the authors
deviate from previous accounts of the
movement in that they vest the
responsibility of the rise of extremist
movements such as the Naxalite on the
society as a whole, and not just the
government. While they rightly
recognize that not all pockets of tribal
communities or Dalit population have
seen Naxalite influence, they go on to
uphold that “the negative attitude
engendered by the social culture
needs to be filtered out before what is
genuine can be seen and remedied.”
Another commendable feature of the
report is its critical assessment of both
the Naxalites and the government.
While it holds the police accountable
for the indiscriminate use of
TADA/POTA against landless poor
fighting for their land, it also charges
the Naxalites for committing excesses

against landlords for political reasons
instead of the extent of their
landholdings. While it applauds the
Naxalites for providing assistance to the
victims of enforced migration caused
either by irrigation/mining/industrial
projects or by social oppression, it also
highlights the limitation of the recently
enacted Scheduled Tribes and Other
Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition
of Forest Rights) Act 2006 (w.e.f. 1
January 2008) in granting protection to
tribes not included in a particular state's
scheduled tribe list. As a result, an
internally displaced tribe such as the
Samantha in Orissa will get no protection
in Andhra Pradesh since they are not
recognized as a scheduled tribe by AP.
Similarly, while the authors argue that
the contribution of the Naxalite
movement has been significant in
ensuring the deliverance of basic
services by the administration such as
improvement of roads, school buildings,
and most importantly, resolution of
dispute through their People's Court,
they also recognize that the Naxalites
are not able to completely replicate the
functions of the government even in
areas controlled by them, thereby,
leaving the dissatisfaction among a
section of the people intact. By digging
into the arguments of both sides, the
report unravels the various dilemmas
surrounding the issue, rising above, in
turn, an impassioned critique against
either side.
Placing the growth of the Naxal
movement in the context of “social
conditions and experience of people who
form a part of it,” the need to strive for
social justice and equality underpins its
recommendations to address the
challenge. Be it effective
implementation of legislations such as
the above mentioned Forest Dwellers
Act, the landmark NREGA or the National
S E C U R I T Y
NAXAL VIOLENCE
Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy,
2007; better coordination between
different government programmes
(including the Backward Region Grant
Fund); or the proposal to engage with
Epilogue
because there is more to know
the Naxals in talks, the main emphasis of
the authors is to win the confidence of
the alienated people by tuning the
state's policies with the interest of the
Monthly Magazine
deprived.
Extensively Researched
Their call to view the Naxal movement
as “a political movement with a strong Written with Clarity
base among the landless and poor
peasantry and adivasis” is particularly
pertinent in understanding that while
and Insight
social and economic deprivations
provide fodder to the movement, the Covers Four Key Issues
basic goal of the Naxal movement is to
overthrow the state government and Politics
usurp power. Thus, while it is the prime
responsibility of the state to remove the
basic causes of discontent and protect Economy
its people from violence, the methods
that it uses to achieve this are equally Culture
important, and are what will set it apart
from the extremists. Therefore,
security-centric approaches such as
Strategic Affairs
creation of vigilante groups like Salwa
Judum in Chhattisgarh and the use of
draconian anti-terror laws only further
distance the people from the state and
reinforce the perception of the state as
Unlike the General run of the News
an inherently violent entity. It is very
crucial for the government to ensure Magazines
that its image as the sole protector of
the people does not get tarnished in the
process. Ultimately, as the report
concludes, the first pre-requisite for
ensuring a life of respect and dignity for Epilogue
the people is to sensitize the
administrators to the conditions of the Has a shelf life That Extends
poor; mere provision of laws will not
suffice; it is important to ensure that
For Beyond the
their implementation is not
appropriated by the dominant sections.
News Period Covered
It is very important, therefore, for the
state and central governments to take
cognizance of this unique report.
For subscription enquiries
Epilogue Ø
21 ×
July 2008
 L A D A K H
EDUCATION

Education Reforms Reverting,

Results Nosedive

Tsweang Rigzin

Offering for replication, to rest of the country and even many parts of world, a unique model of schooling with
maximum enrolment, , Ladakh's education standard is plummeting to an embarrassing seven year low as revealed by
the recently declared secondary school results.

L
adakh is a place which has a
history of education
movements starting from the
early 1950s. As a result of
which school enrolment in Leh, which
is over 98 percent today, is perhaps the
highest in the country. In the last one
and half decade efforts have been
made through the Operation New Hope
movement to bring the education
system closer to Ladakh's life and
culture.
H o w e v e r, r e c e n t l y a n n o u n c e d
secondary school (class 10) results, Leh
had only 22 percent successful
candidates thus recording the lowest
pass percentage in the last seven years.
This dismal result brings to fore the
negligence caused to the education
sector by the concerned authorities.
Such a low and discouraging result is
seen as a clear indication of how the
authorities have failed to maintain and
carry forward the prestigious education
movement of Ladakh which is being
replicated in other parts of the country
and the world today.
There are four schools which have
scored zero percent. The Government
School regular students pass
percentage is only 22 (including the
private schools and private candidates
the percentage is 25). There are
reportedly some schools which have
forced their academically weaker
students to enroll in the exam as
“private” students and not “regular”.
Thus the actual pass percentage of
students in some government schools is
even lower than 22.
The low results in Leh schools this year
triggered strong reactions from the
leaders of the opposition in the
Autonomous Hill Development Council
and also from some village education
committees. Rigzin Spalbar, the
president district congress committee
and former chief executive councilor
expressing dismay over the results held
the LUTF-led Ladakh Autonomous Hill
Development Council (LAHDC)
responsible for derailing the improving
state of education. “This is because of
the visionless, directionless, and
incompetence of the Council and its
leadership who have messed up the
handling of education” Spalbar told
Epilogue adding that percentage went on
decreasing and quality deteriorated due
to its mismanagement and
incompetence. Tsering Tundup a
councilor in a press release accused the
Hill Council for neglecting the education
sector. Rigzin Wangdus, chairman block
education submitted a memorandum to
the deputy commissioner Leh requesting

Epilogue Ø
22 ×
July 2008

him to look into what he calls “the
depressing state of affairs of the
education department” and take
timely necessary action.
The compartmental (failing in one
subject only) pass percentage which
once recorded 56 % has also come down
to 28 % this year. Compartmental pass
are those candidates who have failed
one subject but are still eligible for
admission in 11th class. Until 1999,
these compartmentally passed
students were simply shown as “pass”
in the J&K Board Result Gazette. This
is of course very discouraging to know
that after years of struggle to reform
the education system things are once
again moving back to square one. The
most affected ones from such dismal
results are mainly the voiceless and
powerless children hailing from rural
villages of Ladakh, because
government schools are a ray of hope
for quality education for all – rich and
poor, rural and urban. The 10th class
results this year has put the LUTF-led
Hill Council in a very challenging
situation because the Hill Council has
claimed to give the top priority of the
present Council since its formation in
2005. Accepting the dismal results this
year Tsering Norbu Lampa executive
councilor for education assured to
constitute a committee that would
look into the lapses in the education
sector which might have led to
decrease in the pass percentage of
these exams.
The Operation New Hope
In the last one decade Leh-Ladakh has
taken a quantum leap in the field of
education sector through an
educational reform movement called
L A D A K H
EDUCATION
Operation New Hope (ONH) in
collaboration with the community and
an NGO called Students' Educational
Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL)
– the architect of ONH – to make education
system more relevant to Ladakh's life and
culture. Since its inception in 1996, the Hill
Council government has declared
education as its top priority and
Operation New Hope as its official policy
on education. Due to these initiatives
many things started changing in the
otherwise given-up government schools
of Ladakh. One simple indicator of success
success has been the matriculation
results, which rose up to 56% pass by 2004,
after being a mere 5% pass continuously
until 1998. It was indeed a significant
achievement in a span of one decade,
yet there are lots of things to do to
achieve the goals envisaged through
the Operation New Hope.
Ladakh Model of Sarva Shiksha
Abhiyan
The launch of the Model of Sarva
(R-L) CM Ghulam Nabi Azad, the President of India Dr APJ Abdul Kalam and then
J&K Governor SK Sinha on the launch of LMSSA in Leh in 2006 (File Photo)
Epilogue Ø
23 ×
July 2008
Shiksha Abhiyan (LMSSA) or the second
phase of Operation New Hope by the then
President of India, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam in
Leh in the year 2006 was another
historical event in the process of
education reform movement. This
program was formulated to further
address the remaining ills in the
government school system if they are to
survive as a source of quality education
for all. This document aims to present
the major challenges facing our schools
today due to which the government
schools show very poor results making
them unable to attract children, despite
the fact that in Ladakh the government
spends more than a staggering Rs. 1,500
per child per month, which is comparable
to any best private school. Thus the
program aims to overhaul the
government schooling system in Ladakh
and make our otherwise neglected rural
government schools comparable in
quality to any other private or public
schools. The vision statement of the
program states: “The ultimate vision of
the programme would be to jump-start
the government educational machinery

to a level of quality where the
educated and the influential of the
society can also entrust their children
to state schools. It may sound far-
fetched for the rest of the country but
in Ladakh, after ten years of reforms,
this process has already started and
there are instances of people including
some leaders bringing their children
from private schools into an improved
local government school.”
LMSSA Suspended
Regretfully this program now stands
suspended on account of some
differences arose between Mr. M K
Dwevidi, the then deputy
commissioner and chief executive
councilor of the Hill Council and
SECMOL, the organization which
partnered the Hill Council for LMSSA
and ONH movements. The
chairman/chief executive councilor
(CEC) of the Hill Council had requested
SECMOL to continue its support to the
Hill Council by “providing expertise in
teachers' trainings and mobilizing and
training the Village Education
Committees” to realize the goals
envisaged through such movements.
But on the other hand, Mr. M K Dwevidi
ordered a complete ban on SECMOL's
collaboration with any line
department. SECMOL since then
suspended its activities with
government schools. Consequently this
ambitious program which was
launched none other than Dr. APJ Abdul
Kalam had to be suspended. Today
even the Hill Council and other
concerned officials are silent about
this program. Dr. Kalam was so
optimistic about the education reform
movement in Ladakh that he even
appreciated the launch of the Ladakh
Model of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan in his
speech on the eve of the Independence
L A D A K H
EDUCATION
Day 2006. The State directorate of
Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan had hoped that
this program to become a paradigm
shift in the educational system at
elementary level.
Four years for College Degree
Another ray of hope for higher
education was seen when the Leh
Degree College was opened in 1994 and
started with first bath of 55 students.
With the opening of the college it was
felt that the college would become a
place for obtaining graduate degrees at
home without becoming educationally
refugees in cities like Jammu,
Chandigarh, and Delhi. But the
enrolment in the college has been very
low since then on account of several
reasons. The college takes four years
for students to complete their
graduation because of the college being
affiliated to the University of Kashmir
which has a different exam season.
Whereas 10th and 12th exams in Leh are
affiliated with the J&K Board of School
Education Jammu which have exams in
the months of March-April and they get
their results by May-June. A student
passing out from a higher secondary
school and taking admission in the Leh
college in BA-I year will have to wait till
Oct-November months of the following
year for his first year results. To
streamline and synchronise the exams
systems of the Leh College with the
board exams, Leh's all political leaders
have been demanding the affiliation of
the college with Jammu University but
the demand has not been considered by
successive governments at the State.
Shortage of lecturers in higher
secondary schools
There are 13 higher secondary schools
in the district but these schools have
Epilogue Ø
24 ×
July 2008
not been posted with the required
number of lecturers. Around 50 posts of
lecturers remain always vacant because
lots of non-Ladakhi lecturers who get
posted in Leh never join and
subsequently their orders get cancelled.
The government has a provision of
engaging lecturers on contractual with a
monthly honorarium of rupees 7,000.
The Hill Council has added rupees 4,000
from the district plan increasing the
honorarium rupees up to 11,000
otherwise no one is ready to work as
contractual lecturer for a monthly
rupees 7,000. Such lecturers on
contractual don't become a permanent
solution to this problem because they
can leave the temporary job and to take
up some other profession if opportunities
came up. The Hill Council has added
'free tuition' to the lists of schemes
permissible under Councilor
Constituency Development Funds (CCDF)
as an alternative solution to this existing
problem.
History of Ladakh's education reform
movements
Ladakh has had a tradition of education
movements starting from the early
1950s, when its leaders' launched a
movement for school enrolment bringing
the enrolment rates far above the
national average despite all the
disadvantages that Ladakh suffered. In
the recent past the Hill Council, in
partnership with Ladakhi NGOs and
village communities, addressed the
quality through the Operation New Hope
(ONH) by organizing massive teachers
training drive, using of appropriate
medium of instruction, introducing and
forming of VECs (Village Education
Committees) for local ownership and
accountability in schools, and publishing
locally appropriate early primary
textbooks.

Let’s Revive Silk Road
Mehbooba Mufti
F
or viable and effective cross-
border cooperation between
India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and
Iran, there is need for designing
a new regional cooperation program
between the Asian countries inspired by
the age-old Silk Road tradition. A grand
r e g i o n a l S i l k Ro u t e e c o n o m i c
cooperation project can include oil and
gas pipelines, a separate independent
communication corridor, free trade by
abolishing barriers, harmonization of
trade facilitation procedures, increased
accessibility and regional-level capacity
building. Towards achieving this end,
convening a 'Silk Route Investment
Forum' preferably in Jammu and Kashmir
can kick-start the process.
The Silk Route Forum can also serve as an
effective platform for resolution of
ethnic, religious, interstate, and intra-
regional conflicts and support political,
economic, and security cooperation in
Central Asia and the South Caucasus in
the interest of fostering regional
stability through economic
interdependence. The region could
coordinate in developing indigenous
defense capabilities, securing borders,
and implementing effective controls to
prevent the proliferation and trafficking
of weapons and narcotics.
Energy is certainly an area that could
bring the cluster of region's distant
neighbors together. Extensive trade
relations with the energy-producing
states of Central Asia will enhance
subcontinent's accessibility to
O N R E C O R D
THE GRAND PLAN
diversified energy resources, thereby
strengthening its energy security. If the
proposed gas pipeline between Iran,
Pakistan and India works out well, it
could lay foundations for long-lasting
energy cooperation in the region.
Similarly, the Central Asian oil and its
demand in the huge Indian market could
become another lifeline for peace and
cooperation in the region that could
build considerable and perceptible
economic stakes for ordinary citizens of
India, Pakistan and Afghanistan in the
process.
Through such cooperation the region
can become an energy cauldron,
coordinating business community
projects and promoting investment
opportunities in trade as well as
infrastructure for the production,
transportation, and refining of energy
and petrochemicals. Other areas can, of
course be, agricultural development,
handicrafts, infrastructure planning and
construction, democratic development,
banking, finance, and legal reform.
A serious effort is on since 1990 to start
renegotiating routes which connect Asia
with Europe. By 2002 step by step
through mutually beneficial
arrangements, a modern version of the
ancient Silk Route has gradually taken
shape. Also known as Asian Highway,
this route is expected to start in Tokyo
and terminate in Istanbul passing
through North and South Korea, China,
Vi e t n a m , C a m b o d i a , T h a i l a n d ,
Myanmar, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan,
Epilogue Ø
25 ×
July 2008
Iran and Armenia. In terms of
promoting tourism, World Tourism
Organization (WTO) can identify cities
along the route to be awarded the title
of "International Silk Road City" in an
effort to encourage their commitment
and long-term planning to the
protection of cultural assets.
India, Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan
are states in the midst of a very
complex transition. It is not that they
lack the potential for development
and prosperity in the longer term, but
in the immediate future, they do face
major challenges. One way to
overcome these uncertainties is
through greater regional linkages -
formal and informal. It is easier to
restore these rather than start new
ones and revival of Silk Route could
mark a grandiose beginning. The Silk
Route has always played a role as a
'connecting' bridge between Asia and
Europe, serving as a fundamental link
for exchanging cultures, crafts, ideas,
technologies, and beliefs. Apart from
being a major trading route the Great
Silk Road was of immeasurable
significance in the establishment and
maintenance of political and
diplomatic relations.
The Silk Route holds a special
significance for Jammu & Kashmir as
the State has historically enjoyed a
distinct place in the region. Though
Jammu & Kashmir's roots are firmly
grounded in South Asia, the place has
been a part of the cultural landscape

of central Asia for the past seven
centuries. The closure of traditional
routes, connecting Jammu & Kashmir
with rest of the World, has acted as a
severe constraint on the economic
dynamism of Kashmir. We will need an
access to Mansarovar and rest of China
through Ladakh and a link to Central Asia
with Kargil as the take-off point and
What is Silk Road?
The Silk Road, or Silk Route, is a series of
trade and cultural transmission routes
that were central to cultural interaction
through regions of the Asian continent
connecting East and West Asia by linking
traders, merchants, pilgrims, monks,
soldiers, nomads and urban dwellers
from China to the Mediterranean Sea
during various periods of time. The trade
route was initiated around 114 BC by the
Han Dynasty, largely through the
missions and explorations of Zhang Qian
although earlier trade across the
continents had already existed.
Geographically, the Silk Road or Silk
Route is an interconnected series of
ancient trade routes connecting
Chang'an (today's Xi'an). It was used to
transport silk to the world plus to be a
great source of information with people
getting transported to different parts of
the country in China, with Asia Minor and
the Mediterranean, extending over
8,000 km (5,000 miles) on land and sea.
Trade on the Silk Road was a significant
factor in the development of the great
civilizations of China, Mesopotamia,
Egypt, Persia, Indian subcontinent, and
Rome, and helped to lay the foundations
for the modern world. The first person
who used the terms "Seidenstraße" and
"Seidenstraßen" or "Silk Road(s)" and
"Silk Route(s)", was the German
O N R E C O R D
THE GRAND PLAN
restore Kashmir's only link through non-
snow area to explore out traditional
markets beyond Pakistan with rest of
the region.
Kashmir has been at the receiving end of
the painful recent history of the region
as much of its fragmenting geography
and thus of course proved a stumbling
geographer Ferdinand von Richthofen
in 1877
Silk Road and Kashmir
The Silk Road was linked with Leh and
Srinagar and Gilgit. Not only precious
cargo passed through the Silk Road but
also culture of various countries and
nations. Hieuen Tsaing , the great
Chinese traveler came to Kashmir
walking on this road. It was the road
through which, the Kashmiri Buddhists
Epilogue Ø
26 ×
July 2008
block in the full realization of the
potential of world's largest human
mass that shares not only a common
heritage but definitely a joint future.
Ironically, the State was hit the
hardest even though it was never a
party to the bitter sub-continental
politics that led to its partition in the
last century. The people of Jammu &
entered Central Asia and China
spreading the message of Buddhism.
This road was also used by the great
Sufi saints of Central Asia who came to
Kashmir and spread the light of Islam.
According to noted historian, Prof
Fida Muhammad Hasnain, “Kashmiris
used to import Shahtoosh and wool
from Yarkand and Kashgar through this
route. Even Maharaja deputed his
spies to Russia through this road. One
of them was Abdullah Joo Kishtwari”.

Kashmir, therefore, have the highest
stakes in peace, progress and regional
cooperation.
The aim should be creation of a Silk Road
sub-global region. Such an alignment will
lay a favorable foundation for new
economic relations between Silk Road
countries. The dynamic development of
Recent Expeditions
In a path-breaking expedition, a group of
European travelers took the remains of
traditional Silk Road to reach Kashmir
Valley in October 2007.
Tina Jokinen, 42, an Estonian national,
and her team covered over 11,000 kms
through dense forests, deserts, rivers,
rough roads, and mountains of different
countries in their 45-day trip to reach
Kashmir. Tina and her colleagues
O N R E C O R D
THE GRAND PLAN
political, trade and economic relations
needs strengthening if mutually
advantageous partnerships are to
develop between all States on the Silk
Road. The Silk Road Strategy has to
encompass issues of democracy,
economic integration, strategy, and
economic and political stability in the
region.
achieved the feat of being the first
after 1947 to reach Kashmir through the
route which had direct bearing on the
history, economy and culture of Central
Asia. “We have done it; we feel proud
to see traces of the ancient route which
has played a major role in modern
human civilization,” an elated Tina and
members of her group known as
“Discover Silk Route” had told Srinagar
based English daily Greater Kashmir on
their arrival in the Valley in a cavalcade
of cars. Tina who is also team leader of
Epilogue Ø
27 ×
July 2008
Revival of the Silk Road will strengthen
and stabilize the situation in the
region and promote the integration
and self-reliance of States. This will in
turn have a positive effect not only on
the economic and political scene in
the countries of the region, but also,
on their security.
the group said it was her dream to
tread the Silk Route. “When I was 16, I
had a desire to travel through the Silk
Route. However, it was during my stay
in India in early 1990s that I developed
more interest in the route by reading
about it in books. I shared the idea
with one of my friends, and we
formulated a plan to join the silk route
caravan,” Tina said.
It was however not an easy task. After
many meetings and a lot of
convincing, Tina was able to gather a
team of 17 members, mostly her
friends. “It took us three years to get
our travel documents, cars, and
money for the trip. But the trip won't
have been possible without the
assistance of my Kashmiri friends,
Altaf and Bilal Chapri of Discovery
Journeys who facilitated our visit
from China,” she said.
Only five members of the group are its
permanent members, the ones who
travel from beginning to end of the
journey. The other 12 join the group at
different places. One of them is
Muhammad Yousuf Chapri, an
international renowned Kashmir
explorer. He joined the group from
Wagah border. According to Bilal
Chapri of Discovery Journeys, “it is for
the first time after 1947 that
somebody had undertaken journey
from Silk Road to reach Kashmir”.
 R E P O R T
TOURISM

Ecotourism in J&K :
Grapping For Inspiration

Epilogue News & Analysis

Jammu and Kashmir State has always

remained as the most sought-after
tourist destination – be it the
picturesque valley of Kashmir, the cold
desert of Ladakh, wetlands or the areas
of wilderness. But an insight into the
tourism industry of state reveals that
the priority has always remained on
traditional tourism with ambition of
attaining heights in number of tourists
and returns on investment year after
year. Of late this is turning some of the
tourism destinations as disappointing
ones. Still there remains tremendous
potential for a sustainable environment
friendly tourism.

A
quick review of the tourism scenario
in states like Karnataka, Uttarakand,
West Bengal and the like reveals that
compared to them Jammu and
Kashmir, besides having incomparable tourism
resources still has to go a long way for optimum
utilization of its tourist destinations in an
environmental friendly way and generating
more strength for the economy as well.

It is a matter of fact that the percentage of

forest area to that of total geographical area is
50.97 for Kashmir and 45.89 for Kashmir,
whereas in Ladakh it stands at 0.06 bring this
percentage of total forest area of the state to
19.95. The Forest Conservation Act, 1997 is
strong enough to prevent the use of forest land
for any non-forestry purpose (tourism being a
non-forestry purpose) and at the same time the
J&K Forest Act and J&K Wildlife Protection Act
reinforce the stronghold of conservation laws.

Epilogue Ø
28 ×
July 2008

If the data of past ten years is analyzed
( post 1997 Forest Conservation Act) it
is revealed that wherever there had
been a need of forest area for
development of tourism destination
that land was transferred to tourism
department after depositing cost and
compensation of forest land under
Forest Conservation Act for 'Non-
Forestry Use'. The latest in this row is
the famous tourist destination
Patnitop which has been cleared to
face the axe for installation and
development of a cable car. Forest
land has been diverted for tourism like
that for any other development
purpose like construction of roads,
building dams, infrastructure projects
etc which reveals that tourism for the
purpose of the Forest Acts is
considered as another 'non-forestry
use'. Although, for the time being it
seems to serve the purpose of
expanding tourism base but its
repercussions at the same time should
not be overlooked.
When it comes to Ecotourism, the
state of Jammu and Kashmir stands
nowhere in the national scenario
especially when compared to states
like West Bengal, Karnataka and even
neighbours Uttarakand and Punjab.
Last week of May this year, the J&K
Tourism Department donated three
battery operated vehicles to the
Dachigam national part as a part of the
Ecotourism initiative. Although it is a
move towards understanding the need
of switching to ecotourism but instead
of such sporadic gestures the state
needs to move forward and scale
heights in ecotourism which will help
attract more tourists to hitherto
unexplored destinations. Ecotourism
contributes actively to conservation of
natural and cultural heritage and
includes local and indigenous
R E P O R T
TOURISM
communities in its planning,
development and operation,
contributing to their well being; at the
same time interprets the natural and
cultural heritage of destination to
visitor. The state has a tremendous
potential for ecotourism in the areas
set apart under various laws which can
be brought under ecotourism map
without either the violation of
conservation laws or need for
following a cumbersome procedure of
transferring forest land to non-forestry
purpose.
Often the forest department is blamed
for its antidevelopment attitude,
given the stringent conservation laws
and policies. But lack of coordination
between the conservationists, estate
managers and the tourism policy
makers has emerged as a major
stumbling block in the way of
harnessing the optimum potential of
ecotourism in the state. When
contacted, over this issue, a senior
forest officer revealed that
Government of India formulated
ecotourism policy in 2001 and during
last cadre restructuring of J&K's IFS
cadre, a post of Chief Conservator of
Forests (ecotourism) was created in
the state so as to develop ecotourism
destinations in the forest areas and
directions were given to all the states
to formulate a white paper on
ecotourism development.
While other states took lead and even
emerged on world map of ecotourism,
Jammu And Kashmir State is yet to take
the first step as even after seven years'
lapse the post of CCF Ecotourism is yet
to be filled. The issue has been brought
to the notice of Government time and
again but no development in this
regard seems to be in offing. But still
the forest department has to be held
Epilogue Ø
29 ×
July 2008
responsible for not coming forward
with a ecotourism plan, since the 50%
geographical area in Kashmir and 46%
in Jammu region is under forest laws,
so the onus lies on forest department
to come forward with an ecotourism
development plan for the destinations
in forest areas. The tourism
department making an ecotourism
plan for forest areas will amount to
making undue inroads to the mandate
of forest department. Whenever
enquired about the need for
ecotourism, its potential and steps
being taken by the department in this
regard, the officers at the helm of
affairs have one and only thing to say
that M/S Jungle Lodges and Resorts, a
Government of Karnataka
undertaking, has been entrusted with
development of ecotourism plan, this
has been the lone answer for past four
years and still continues.
The Managing Director of Jungle
Lodges and Resorts, N. D. Tiwari while
speaking at a function organized at
Bannerghata National Park, last month
said “Jammu and Kashmir has
tremendous potential for ecotourism
and Jungle Lodges and Resorts is
helping the State in identifying the
locations, which are potential eco-
tourism sites.” The gathering there
was astonished to learn that J&K is still
at an identifying stage of ecotourism
and even requires assistance from
Karnataka for 'Identifying' places
having potential for ecotourism. There
is no harm in hiring consultancy
services and in deed it is required for
being competitive in the tourism
market but it should have been done
for developing eco-tourism facilities
and working out the economics as well
rather than identifying the places
which can be done better by our local
resource persons in the concerned

departments. The natural resource
managers, field officers and our
technical experts could have done it in
a better way as they are well aware of
the local socio-economy, culture,
norms and values as well. Since
ecotourism also involves the
components of culture and heritage so
the consultancies like the one
mentioned above may not be better
than what can be done by our own
professionals for the basic work of pin-
pointing the potential ecotourism sites
in the state. Another thing we are
lagging in is out of box thinking and
being innovative.
This also raises a serious question of
the lackadaisical approach of the
officers borne on the J&K cadre of
forest department. The managers of
natural resources who have worked at
the gross route levels for so many years
and have the basic training in
ecotourism can perhaps be the best
resource persons for developing an
ecotourism plan for the state. The
consultancies can be hired on later
stages but the forest department
seems to have begun with an upside
down approach. Moreover, there is not
a single incidence reported from the
department where a plan of
ecotourism was developed and
proposed by any officer of the
department for a particular area and
not processed by the government. The
first step needs to be taken by the
estate managers to begin with.
Another serious concern is the
bureaucratic compartmentalization as
regards developing a comprehensive
plan for tourism development in the
state. The Tourism department has
been entrusted with tourism
development and management but
faces the problem of its inability to
R E P O R T
TOURISM
take over the forest areas which have
tremendous potential of tourism
development. The forest department
on the other hand is not willing to
either move forward to ecotourism,
giving several reasons for it, or develop
an easy procedure wherein the tourism
department could be given the
responsibility. Over and above this the
government has yet to give due
attention needed to the need for
developing an ecotourism
development strategy and planning.
The state government came forward
with the concept of Tourism
Development Authorities, with the aim
to take the concept of tourism
development at gross root level. TDAs
were also meant to develop the
unexplored area for tourism especially
harnessing the local tourism potential.
It was indeed a decentralization of
tourism development and was
expected to give a boost to the tourism
industry, given the strategy proposed
and amount of funds being granted for
this purpose.
But till date most of the TDAs working
on Adhoc basis are yet to acquire the
land identified for tourism
development. Most of the officers
heading TDAs are doing so as an
additional responsibility with no full-
time CEOs being posted till date in
most of the case. But some
Development Authorities with full time
chiefs have in deed done excellent job
in tourism development and
management in respective areas e.g
TDAs of Gulmarg, Pehalgam, Sonmarg
and Patnitop have registed more than
double the annual tourism growth of
previous financial year. Going by the
figures, the J&K Cable Car
Corporation's revenue earning went up
from Rs 279 Crore in 2004-05 to Rs 658
Epilogue Ø
30 ×
July 2008
crore in 2006-07 after Javed Iqbal
Punjoo took over as the Managing
Director of State Cable Car
Corporation. The MD's initiatives and
the right selection by the government
are to share credit for this doubling of
the revenue earned by this
corporation. This instances of
excellence show that neither human
resource is a scarce nor the natural
resources at the receiving end, the
only thing required is a multipronged
strategy for development of
ecotourism in state and an umbrella
organization to design and coordinate
the development of ecotourism in the
state.
The missing links are visible and the
need of the hour is to do away with the
bureaucratic compartmentalization in
the field of tourism and a coordinated
efforts of different agencies and stake
holders for optimum harnessing of
state's ecotourism resources on a
sustainable basis which will also raise
the graph of tourism earnings of the
state and at the same time lend
protection and development of our
areas of wilderness.
While states of Uttarakhand and West
Bengal are contributing a major chunk
to the state's GDP from ecotourism,
J&K with incomparable resources can
click the magic and become leader in
filed of ecotourism. The government
of Jammu and Kashmir has already
notified 16000 Sq Km as the protected
Area Network (PAN) to develop
facilities for Eco-Tourism. The areas
notified comprise of 5 National parks
14 Wild Life sanctuaries 35
conservation Reserves. The next step is
an effective coordination and
implementation of ecotourism
development by different agencies
under a unified command.
 D I G E S T O F E C O N O M Y
INDUSTRY

Industry

Epilogue News & Analysis

Industry in Jammu and Kashmir has shown tremendous growth in past decade and it has set a stage for a further rising
graph. The state is on the path of industrialization in a modest way despite various factors and topographical
limitations. The state has declared industry as its main agenda for speed up of economic activity and for generating
employment. Industrial development is on top priority for the government to provide basics for the industrialization,
the prerequisite for any industry is its infrastructure, skilled human resources, pro-industry environment, good
governance and financial incentives and it has always remained the endeavour of the government to provide all the
above for the industry and its growth. In the state for the multi-dimensional growth of the industry, Industrial and
Commerce department has been established with a strong and well equipped system and powers. The Industries and
Commerce department is focusing to explore possibilities for investment in the state for developing a standard world
class Infrastructure to make the state a production state rather than a consumer state only and explore available
resources in the state. The main focus of the Industries and Commerce department is in the sectors like, food
Processing, Pharmaceuticals, textiles, sports goods, information technology and biotechnology.

Economic Profile of Jammu and Kashmir Jammu a couple of years back and now it has been extended to
Udhampur. Work of Rail Line upto Qazigund is on full swing and
trial run has been successful in the Kashmir part of this line
As per 2001 All India Census the state has following statistics of
while the work is under progress from Jammu link.
various aspects of population and economics:-
POPULATION (2001 census) 10143700
MALES 5360926 Road
FEMALES 4782774
SEX RATIO (females/1000 males) 900 J&K is very well connected with the rest of the country through
DENSITY OF POPULATION (Persons/ Square Km) National Highway upto Leh through Kargil (Ladakh).
URBAN POPULATION % 24.85
LITERACY RATE (census 2001) in % 55.5 Airports
MALE LITERACY in % 66.6
MALE LITERATE in numbers 3060628 Jammu, Srinagar and Leh town in Ladakh are connected by air
FEMALE LITERACY in % 43 with the rest of the country. Indian Airlines and Jet Airways
operate regular flights to the three principal airports of the
FEMALE LITERATE in numbers 1746583468
state from various cities of the country. Srinagar has got its
NSDP at current prices 12805 Rs
international airport which promises direct export of the
Crores (2002-2003)* Rs Crores *(2000-2001)
famous fruits to the markets in Gulf countries directly and in a
PER CAPITA NSDP (2002-03) Rs12781
shortest possible time avoiding the 'Transmission Losses in
at current prices Rs *(2000-2001 Economy' as well as the quality of the products.

Economic Infrastructure Railways

Full fledged operation of Railways extended to Udhampur.
Connectivity through road and Air transport is the main Further extension to valley is under progress. It will give
lifeliene of the economy. The Railway connectivity was upto tremendous boost to the economy of state

Epilogue Ø
31 ×
July 2008

Industrial Policy
To step in the era of industrialization
government has brought a new
industrial policy which came in being in
2004-05 for the period up to 2014-15.
The policy has been framed in a
manner to help the state to become an
industry state which is predominantly
known as consumer state. The policy is
to make the state self sufficient for its
requirements and to decrease import
of goods. The pro-investor industrial
policy 2004 is to promote rapid
industrialization with world class
infrastructure. To industrialize the
most backward areas in the state and
modernization of the existing units.
The state has the distinction of having
two sets of incentives one from the
Centre and the other from the state.
State Package.
Fiscal Incentives
· 100 % subsidy on purchase of new
Diesel Gen-set.
· 100 % subsidy on project report and
quality testing equipment.
· 75% subsidy on Research and
development.
· 5% rebate on interest on term loan
for technocrats.
· Special incentive for brand
promotion and modernization.
· Land and power at concessional
rate.
Tax Incentives
· Toll tax exemption on import of raw
material and export of finished
D I G E S T O F E C O N O M Y
INDUSTRY
products industrialists. On the other side
· CST exemption. industrialist also complain about non
· VAT exemption availability of skilled humane labour in
the state.
· Stamp duty exemption
Industrial Infrastructure (SIDCO &
Central package
SICOP)
Fiscal Incentives
The Department of Industries and
Commerce has 37 existing Industrial
· 15% subsidy on capital investment on estates in the state under the control of
plant and machinery. Directorate of Industries and Commerce
· 3% interest subsidy on working and SIDCO/SICOP.
capital.
Existing Industrial Estates in the State
· 100% insurance cover to Industrial Industrial Estates In The Pipeline
units.
In addition to above 37 Industrial Estates
· 90% transport Subsidy.
there, 6 new Industrial Estates are also in
the pipeline.
Tax Incentives
1 Industrial Estate Chotipora
· 100% excise refund 2 Industrial Estate Utikoo Pattan
3 Industrial Estate Gran Reasi
· Total income tax exemption 4 Industrial Estate Billawar Kathua
5 Industrial Estate Sangram Bata
90 percent Compulsory employment Kishtwar
For Permanent Residents 6 Industrial Estate Khurbalang Kargil
Infrastructural Projects
The state govt. has made its mandatory
for all Industrial units to employ 90%
permanent residents of the state in 1. Industrial complex Bari Brahamna,
their Units in a phased manner, Jammu
otherwise the incentives provided 2. Industrial Growth Centre Samba
under the Industrial Policy of the State 3. Export Promotion Industrial Park
Govt. shall not be available to them. K a r t h o l i J a m m u
However this order of the govt. has not 4. Industrial Growth Centre Lassipora
been implemented in a rightful way. P u l w a m a
There are various allegations that this 5. Software Technology Park Rangreth
order has not been followed by Kashmir
Epilogue Ø
32 ×
July 2008
 D I G E S T O F E C O N O M Y
INDUSTRY

Major Industries With

Sidco Industrial Growth Center Chenab Textile Mill at Kathua

The role of SIDCO is
manifold. One such role is
to create the industrial
infrastructure by
development of industrial
complexes within the state
and make available all basic
amenities like road net
work, water storage and
distribution network,
drainage system street
lightening etc. The second
role is to provide term loan
lending facility to industrial
units in medium sector
under the refinance
schemes of IDBI and SIDBI.
However, the term lending
is made available to small
scale sector in the
electronics sector as well.
SIDCO does not own or run
any major industry of its
own but only helps as a
catalyst in the
industrialization of the
state by providing
promotional input i.e.
identification of viable
projects, providing escort
and pilot services and
arranging various
clearances from State and
Central Governments.
Besides providing industrial
infrastructure and finance
as elucidated above. The
following prominent
industrial venture is either
existing in various
industrial complexes
managed by SIDCO or in
locations outside the SIDCO
complexes in Kashmir
valley which have come up
with the promotional
efforts of SIDCO.
To assist the Industrial growth in state of
Jammu and Kashmir, the Central Govt. has
approved Industrial Growth Centers in the
backward districts to provide them best
infrastructure facilities like power, water
and telecommunications etc. Government
of India has sanctioned two growth centers
for the state.
In Jammu Region:
In Samba District of Jammu region one such
growth center is established & SIDCO is the
implementing agency. An amount of Rs.
100.00 Lakh has been incurred by the State
Govt. on this growth center during the period
2006-2007, and the approved outlay for the
year 2007-08 is Rs. 120.00 Lakh.
In Kashmir Region
One such Growth center is also being
established in Lassipora (Pulwama) of
Kashmir region. The amount of Rs. 49.79
lakh has been incurred by the State Govt
under Centrally Sponsored Scheme. And the
approved outlay for the Year 2007-08 is Rs
100.00 Lakh.
Small Industry Cluster Development
Programme ( SI-CDP)
To help the Bat Industry at Sethur (Anantnag)
and for common Facility centre for wooden
Furniture/Joinery Clusters at Srinagar two
clusters are being developed
in the state under SSI-
Government of India's Small
Scale Industry Cluster
Development Programme.
Action plan for both the above
clusters is approved by the
central Govt with an
estimated cost of Rs. 572.71
Lakh and out of which the
central share is Rs.
246.46Lakh.
Chenab Textile Mill at Kathua started its
operation in the year 1978, since then it is
helping the state to generate employment and
currently more than 5000 workers are earning
their livelihood with their association with the
mill. The legend in the state industry, Chenab
mill is equipped with modern techniques and
contributing to the state's revenue also. It is
among one of the private leading enterprise in
the state.
Annual Survey of Industries (ASI)
Only 342 factories in the J & K were covered,
Under Annual Survey of Industries in the year
2003-04. The average investment on fixed
capital per registered factory in the state was
Rs 117.70 Lakh. At all India Level it was Rs.
366.71 lakh. The generation of employment
per factory was 79 person. Average net and
gross value added per factory was Rs. 54.97
lakhs and 67.54 lakhs respectively.
Small Scale Industries Sector
To ease the registration process for the
Industries the sate Govt. has simplified the
procedure, one district industry center has
been established in each district for
registration and to provide other facilities to
the industries including to arrange credit
facilities. District Jammu has the largest no: of
registered SSI units i.e 9871 as on 31-03-2007,
Dist: Srinagar at no: two with 9141 registered
SSI units as on 31-03-2007 and District Kargil
has the lowest no; of registered SSI units, only
627 Units are registered in the District.
Year-wise Growth in SSI Units

Epilogue Ø
33 ×
July 2008
 D I G E S T O F E C O N O M Y
INDUSTRY

Prime Minister's Rozgar Yojna business sectors an amount of 2.00 12432 cases during the period 1996-97
lakh can be granted. to 2005-06 of which only Rs. 7109.42
(PMRY)
(62.55%) lakhs was
Physical/Financial Achievements of PMRY ( Rs.in Lakh)
disbursed to 9501
cases. The huge gap of
over 37 % of
sanctioned cases still
r e m a i n e d
undisbursed.

*73% out of 381

The state's record of implementing
the PMRY is better than many other
states . In the state the schemes under
PMRY are Implemented under the
supervision of Directorate of
Industries and Commerce with its
allied departments. For individual's
loan upto Rs. 1.00 lakh and for
contacted units were
found functional, 17%
non functional while
as 10 % though found
functional were
fighting for survival as
these were not
functioning to the
Main Findings of the Directorate of
extent as desired.
Economics and Statics at the instance
of state level committee are as
*78 % of beneficiaries sated that it took
follow : ( With reference period them much time of moré than 9 months
2001-02 to 2005-06). to avail the loan.
*The banks had sanctioned Rs. 9 % stated that it took them more than A
11366.57 lakh as loan in favour of Year to avail the loan amount.

Enterprises Employment

According to 5th economics survey conducted by Central
Statical Organisation in 2005 along with the Directorate of
Economics and Statistics, Jammu and Kashmir, 324908
enterprises in the state were found engaged in different
economic activities (other than crop production and
plantation), as compared to 215600 enterprises recorded by
4th Economic Census 1998.
Number of enterprises engaged in Rural areas is 183118(57%)
and no of enterprises in the urban areas is 141790 (42.85%).
751525 persons were engaged in these enterprises out of
which 367044 persons are from rural enterprise and 384481
persons from urban Enterprise.
Annual average growth of 6.03% was recorded by number
of enterprises and 6.82 % in employment during 1998-2005.
A Number of 5980 enterprises employed more than 10
workers or more accounting 1.81 of total enterprises. As
per 4th economic survey corresponding number of
enterprises employing more than 10 employees was 3200.

The proposed outlay for 11th plan for Industry Sector as a

322393 (98.40%) enterprise are engaged in non-agricultural Whole is Rs.80666.58 Lakh. During Annual Plan 2006-07,
activities and only 2585 (1.60%) are engaged in agricultural outlay for Industry Sector was Rs. 10154.82 Lakh which has
activities other than crop production and plantation. been spent in full

Epilogue Ø
34 ×
July 2008