Epilogue

because there is more to know

www.epilogue.in CONTENTS

Prologue 3
Editor in Chief WHAT HAPPENED TO Letters to the editor 4

COMMON
Zafar Choudhary
Hear & Hear
Consulting Editor Who Said What 5
D. Suba Chandran

Associate Editor
Irm Amin Baig
MINIMUM News Wrap
J&K In July 6

Designs & Layout

PROGRAMME Power Corridor
Government & Administration 8
Keshav Sharma
Columns
Mailing Address Volume 2, Issue 8, August 2008 Keen Eye 10
PO Box 50, HO Gandhi Nagar, Vision From Valley 36
Jammu
Jest Ponder 55
IN FOCUS
Phones & email Unfinished Agendas Ladakh
Office : +91 191 2493136
Editorial: +91 94191 80762 Tourism 30
Administration: +91 94190 00123 14 Fall Of Coalition
Neighbours
editor@epilogue.in Good Riddance, Indeed!
editor.epilogue@gmail.com Nepal 38
subscription@epilogue.in 17 Common Minimum Programme Business & Economy
Point-wise Analysis
Edited, Printed & Published by
Debt Trap 40
Zafar Choudhary for CMRD
22 ’Kashmir Problem Too Enormous Bibliophiles
Publications and Communications
Published from ‘Ibadat’, Madrasa
To Be Linked With Elections’ Legends Of Our Times 42
Lane, Bhatindi Top, Jammu, J&K Stop Press
Review of Media 44
Printed at
Dee Dee Reprographix, Jammu Reports & Region
Rajouri-Poonch 47
Disputes, if any, subject to jurisdiction
of courts and competitive tribunals in Reviews
Jammu only. Books 49
Price : Rs 15
For more News, Views & Analysis
Log on to
www.epilogue.in
Epilogue Ø
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August 2008
 Epilogue
because there is more to know

Jammu & Kashmir

Center For Contemporary Studies

The J&K CCS, a non-profit institute, is engaged in research on

issues of contemporary importance involving Jammu and kashmir

ANNOUNCEMENT
For an upcoming project on people of Jammu and Kashmir,
?
the J&K CCS invites proposals from researchers, scholars,
teachers, journalists and other dispassionate observers of life to
write brief biographical account of the personalities listed
below. It may be noted that the list is not complete and will be
continuously updated during life of the project. Interested
writers may also suggest names of people who, they believe, have
contributed to change in Jammu and Kashmir. The biographical
account involving a critical analysis of personality, successes,
failures and contributions to various aspects of general life,
shaping up thoughts and present positioning in the public space
should be in around 2500 to 3000 words. A modest
honorarium of Rs. 1000 is being offered for each submission.
Any particular author can not write on more than two
personalities. Interested authors are requested to list their choice
of personality with J&K CCS before starting the assignment so
as to avoid many authors writing on same person.

THE PEOPLE
Aagha Ashraf Ali • Muhammed Yusuf Taing • Prof Rehman Rahi • Syed Ali Shah Geelani • Syeda Aasiya Andrabi
• ZG Muhammad • Khwaja Sonaullah Bhatt • Omar Abdullah • Farooq Abdullah • Mehbooba Mufti • Mufti
Mohammad Sayeed • GM Shah • Mirwaiz Omar Farooq • Shabir Ahmed Shah • Mohammad Yasin Malik • Pervez
Imroz • Mian Abdul Quyoom • Nighat Shafi Pandit • Prof Hamidi Kashmiri

Contact :
J&K CCS ‘Ibadat’ Madrasa Lane, Bathindi Top, Jammu Ph : (O) 0191 2493136 , 94191 80762
email : epilogue2008@gmail.com, zafarchoudhary@gmail.com

What Is Happening ?
Zafar Choudhary
S
harpening voices, deepening
hatred, widening divides,
intriguing politics, aggressive
protests and flaring violence
–Jammu and Kashmir is today at worst
intersection of recent history. Political
level dialogue between India and
Pakistan is stalled. New Delhi and
Srinagar are at a lowest level of
communication. Kashmir, Jammu and
Ladakh are talking to each other in most
uncomfortable tones of our times.
Forgetting secular ethos, religious
groups are out to hurt sentiments of
each other. Political leadership is
playing a worst game for electoral
gains. Reports from rural areas say that
the presence of militants is rising like
never before. Line of Control is once
again brimming with infiltration.
Incidents of violence are on
phenomenal rise. What is happening
to Jammu and Kashmir? Have we lost
what all we tried to build up over past
eight years? Will it take another eight
years to reach a situation which we
have seen just eroding? Is there
anyone to take charge of situation and
ready to answer all these questions?
Unfortunately, all this is happening at
a time when Jammu and Kashmir is
about to face yet another round of
assembly elections and an electoral
battle at the national level is also
being seen at horizons. Looking at the
current scenario with some sanity
sends shivers down the spine. Jammu
and Kashmir is in a state of unrest at a
time when parties are gearing up for
P R O L O G E
FROM THE EDITOR
elections. Therefore, it is in the
interest of political parties to keep this
fire raging. For example, the Peoples
Democratic Party is consolidating in
Kashmir the sentiment against India.
And in Jammu, the BJP has no
hesitations in first stirring and then
cashing in on anti-Muslim and anti-
Kashmir sentiment. What is being sown
is a deep divide between regions and
communities. One thing is for sure.
The peace process –whether between
India and Pakistan or between New
Delhi and Islamabad – is up for a freeze
for at least a year. Now it is over to the
next government –at New Delhi and at
Srinagar –to resume or not to resume
the peace process. We can at least
appeal for one thing. That when you
are readying up for the elections,
please…please don't sell Kashmir
solution to the people this time. Just
tell them that you want votes for
coming to power and that is it. When
the Peoples Democratic Party –
Congress coalition fell down on July 7,
it was not the story of a government's
collapse but betrayal of a
commitment. These parties in 2002
had given people to understand that
they are campaigning for a 'peace
election'. There was nothing of the
sorts in their acts next five and half
years. Our present issue discusses
what the coalition had promised and
what it delivered.
Feedback :
Zafarchoudhary@epilogue.in
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August 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, researchers,
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 investigative,
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 typed 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 views in their articles.

Letters
Mail your letters to editor@epilogue.in
Why Epilogue is balanced
While surfing newspapers of Jammu and
Kashmir on internet we find the press
regionally polarized. Jammu based
newspapers project a situation suiting
the local regional and dominant
religious sentiments while Srinagar
bases papers have taken a rather
parochial view which talks about
nothing but Kashmir and Islam. It is
pleasantly surprising that Epilogue has
taken a largely balanced view on the
shrine land controversy. Is it due to the
fact that the magazine is published
from Jammu and is edited by a Muslim?
(Letter edited, names of newspapers
withheld)
DR SANJANA RAO
Media Professional
Bangalore
Thanks from Leh
If media is about making sales, Ladakh is
certainly not a happening place due to
its geographical disadvantages. This
region remains cut off from rest of
world for six to eight months a year and
connection by air is twice a week
subject to fair weather. Perhaps this is
neither that the press does not care
about Ladakh in terms of coverage. This
region's name appears in the print only
when somebody speaks in Kashmir,
Jammu or Delhi. I am happy to note that
Epilogue has a special section on Ladakh
M A I L B O X
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
and have people stationed here for
coverage. The issues touched upon like
Education and development are a
contribution to our society. We hope
that coverage of Ladakh spill over to
more pages and reportage goes deep to
touch the public pulse. Meanwhile,
thanks from Leh.
D NAMGYAL
Leh
I had the pleasure of going through
Epilogue magazine after I got a copy
from the Secretary General of the Press
Club of India. The construction of
stories and page layout has impressed
me. The range of issues discussed by the
magazine is quite relevant and need
wider dissemination. It is, however, sad
to not that the magazine is not available
in areas of Cooch Behar. Please make
arrangements of distribution in North
Bengal.
RANADHIR GHOSH
Cooch Behar
West Bengal
Did Sinha know Kashmiriyat?
Instead of just carrying an interview
with former Governor Sinha (Epilogue,
July 2008) you should have done a story
on what he did to Jammu and Kashmir
before demitting office. He talks loud
about Kashmiriyat. What does he know
Epilogue Ø
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August 2008
about Kashmiriyat except for organizing
a Sufi festival every year and visiting
Charar-e-Sharief. He made the Chief
Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad to dance to
his tunes and lead to not only fall of his
government but also got him isolated in
the Congress party. Azad will have to
pay a price for being a party to the
Hindutva campaign unleashed by Sinha.
In his interviews, after leaving J&K, he
has been criticizing Congress and
praising Azad. You carried just Sinha's
interview when his views were well
known. Why your comment was missing?
TARIQ GILKAR
Nowhatta, Srinagar
Books on J&K
Your regular column on book reviews
and movie reviews is a wonderful feast.
I have a small suggestion. Please
consider on priority books on Jammu
and Kashmir or from Jammu and
Kashmir. Since this magazine has a
mission statement of 'Telling J&K
Stories', therefore an exclusive
reportage on the state will help further
build up the claimed character of
magazine. There are books in Kashmiri,
Hindi, Dogri and Gojri etc. After getting
in touch with local publishers you can
also have a column on new arrivals.
KAVITA SHARMA
University of Jammu
Jammu
 H E A R A N D H E A R

WHO SAID WHAT

'Let's do our job well to facilitate

smooth process to elections’

N.N Vohra, Governor, Jammu and Kashmir

'Amarnath Land will be Poll issue for BJP' 'Kashmiris will never accept the
constitution of India, we have never been
citizen of India'
Lal Krishan Advani, Senior leader, BJP
Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Leader, Hurriyat Conference

'I am a Muslim, and I am an Indian. I see

'The beginning has been made. Mahabharata would go
no distinction between the two'
on till the people of Jammu region get justice in all
respects'
Omar Abdullah, President, National Conference.
Bhim Singh, Chairman, National Panthers Party

'A Lasting solution of Kashmir issue is

possible only when India gives up its
intransigence and respects the wishes of 'Islam has never been in danger and
Kashmiris' neither would it be endangered by any
force'
Sardar Attique Ahmad, Prime Minister PAK.
Ghulam Nabi Azad, Former J&K CM

'People might be tired but it is wrong to

'PDP has performed a very anti-national
think that they have accepted or would
role in Kashmir and the pity is that the
accept the status quo in Kashmir'
party is even enjoying Patronage of
Muzzafar Hussain Baig, Senior Leader PDP Delhi'

S.K Sinha, Former Governor J&K

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August 2008

Survey: 51% in India, Pak for ‘Independent Kashmir’
J
ammu and Kashmir
is these days
debating, with some
joy and grouses, results
of a survey conducted by
a US bases organization
run by University of
Maryland. 'World Public
Opinion', a project
managed by University's
Programme on
International Policy
Attitudes claims that 51
per cent of Indians and
Pakistanis don't mind if
Kashmir is declared
independent. This has
triggered a debate in
J&K. Of course, in
Kashmir the survey result
has come as a soother for
the pro-independence
constituency, in Jammu
region the rightist-
nationalists have
dismissed the findings as
farce. The state
government too has
rubbished the survey.
“We can just laugh at it”,
says J&K Information
Secretary KB Jandayal.
According to College Park
of the
WorldPublicOpinion.org,
the poll of the Indian and
Pakistani publics reveals
that half or more are
open to a range of
possible outcomes for
Kashmir other than it being part of
their respective countries. On neither
side is there strong majority
opposition to Kashmir becoming an
independent country or dividing
Kashmir between Pakistan and India.
N E W S W R A P
J&K IN JULY
the survey.
Desirable Acceptable Tolerable Unacceptable
“Given the deep roots of
• Kashmir remains under Indian Control in its present status the conflict over Kashmir,
it is surprising that the
Pakistan 2 9 7 71 conflict does not muster
clearly polarized
India 26 29 10 12 majorities in Pakistan and
India, falling in line
• Kashmir gains greater self-rule, but is still inside India behind their governments'
positions,” comments
Pakistan 2 7 14 66 Clay Ramsay, research
director of
India 9 25 21 18 WorldPublicOpinion.org.
“Instead, many show
• Kashmir is divided so that some joins Pakistan and some joins India openness to considering
different possibilities for
Pakistan 3 14 20 52 resolving the conflict.”
In the survey, Indians and
India 6 10 15 42 Pakistanis were asked to
consider a range of
• Kashmir is jointly managed by India and Pakistan possible outcomes for
Indian-controlled Kashmir
Pakistan 6 12 21 50
(known as Jammu and
Kashmir) and to say
India 6 6 16 48 whether they found them
desirable, acceptable,
• Kashmir becomes an independent country tolerable, or
unacceptable.
Pakistan 53 22 7 10
Pakistani attitudes about
such groups are complex.
India 6 8 15 50
Less than half (39%)
believe that such groups
• Kashmir becomes part of Pakistan operating in Kashmir help
either the security of
Pakistan 60 24 7 4
Kashmiris, though few
(9%) say it hurts security.
India 3 4 7 61
In the context of the
conflict in Kashmir, large
Source : WorldPublicOpinion.org
majorities of Pakistanis say
More significant, Indians and Pakistanis that attacks on Indian
show a readiness to have the Kashmiri government officials are rarely or never
people decide their fate. If a majority justified. Attacks on security-related
of all Kashmiris were to choose personnel in India—policemen,
independence, a majority of Indians intelligence agents, military and
and Pakistanis would find such paramilitary troops—are rejected by a
independence at least tolerable, says plurality.
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August 2008
 N E W S W R A P
J&K IN JULY

Biharis on Radar in Kashmir Wanted, New Boss For

W
ho exactly and by what amount is anyone against non-state
subject petty workers working in Kashmir but on this
JU

account situation here is not much different than the one
triggered by Raj Thakrey's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena. A grenade
came from nowhere and exploded on a Bihari family on July 24 when
they were just boarding a bus for Jammu at Srinagar's Batamalloo bus
terminal. Three children aged between 8 and 13 were among the five
killed and 25 others injured. There has been a definite upsurge in
violence in recent months but this one can not be seen as just another
incident of militancy. On July 20 and earlier on June 30 one Kashmiri
separatist leader Hilal Ahmed War, Chairman of the Peoples Political
Party set August 10 deadline for all Behari and other non-state subject
labourers to leave Kashmir Valley or face action. Earlier in June 2007,
the Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani had issued a call for
throwing all Beharis out of Jammu and Kashmir. Thousands of Beharis
had to board their buses back home after two of them were found
involved in rape and murder of a minor girl Tabinda Ghani in Kupwara
district. In June 2006, nine Nepali labourers were shot dead by
unidentified gunmen in the south Kashmir district of Kulgam.
Accused of unleashing a “cultural aggression” in Kashmir, the Biharis
and other labourers (also beggars) have always been on a warning
note in the Valley. Those who are against the presence of outsider
workers in the Valley have with them a long list of their sins. One
oldest incident dates back to 1985 when an ice cream factor owner
lost his daughter to a Bihari employee. Six months later, she was
traced from Bihar. In 1991, a mason from Assam took away on gun
point from one Sameena, popularly known as Brook Shield of Kashmir
for her beauty. Of the most recent incidents, a teenager Tabinda
Ghani was raped and then brutally murdered in 2007 by two Bihari
labourers in Handwara area of Kupwara district.
P
rof Amitabh Mattoo’s term as vice
chancellor of the University of Jammu is
ending later this year-precisely in
November. Formerly a Professor of International
Studies at Jawahar Lal Nehru University. Mattoo
took over at JU in 2002 and got a three year
extension in term in 2005. While many believe
that Mattoo may manage yet another term but
sources at Raj Bhawan have confirmed that the
Governor has constituted a ‘Search Committee’
to find out a new boss for JU. Jawahar Lal
Nehru University’s former VC GK Chadha (also a
member of Pm’s Economic Advisory Board)
former J&K Chief Secretary Dr Sudhir Singh
Bloeria and the Vice Chancellor of the
Arunachal University are reported to be the
members of the search committee. Though the
three are staunch supporters of present VC but
it is learnt that instead of seeking another term
Mattoo is more interested in having one of his
favourities as his successor. Therefore the
names of Prof BPS Sehgal (Dean Academic
Affairs), Prof G S Sambyal (Registrar) and Prof
Kulwant Kaur (Dean Social Sciences) are taking
the rounds as one of them may be chosen as
Mattoo’s successor. The search committee,
however, is yet to have its first meeting.

6228 to fly to Mecca this year

6
228 aspirants have been selected from Jammu and Kashmir for this year's Hajj pilgrimage. But more than 10,000 have been
left disappointed. The PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti and former CM Ghulam Nabi Azad are now competing against each other in
their lobbying with the Ministry of External Affairs to get the Hajj quota hiked for J&K.
In a selection process telecast live in July 10, 6228 aspirants were selected for the Hajj-2008 against 16,000 applications received
from the three regions of the state. In response to 1417 applications received from 10 districts of Jammu province, 1246 pilgrims
were selected for Hajj-2008 pilgrimage. These include 127 from Doda, 79 from Jammu, 36 from Kathua, 139 from Kishtwar, 287
from Poonch, 312 from Rajouri, 144 from Ramban, 80 from Reasi, 17 from Samba and 55 from Udhampur districts. Similarly, 4879
pilgrims were selected from Kashmir division out of 14429 applications received from 10 district of Kashmir province. Of these,
703 pilgrims were selected from Anantnag district, 283 from Bandipora, 760 from Baramulla, 527 from Budgam, 185 from
Ganderbal, 396 from Kulgam, 581 from Kupwara, 391 from Pulwama, 193 from Pulwama, 193 from Shopian and 900 from Srinagar
districts for Hajj pilgrimage-2008. Like wise, out of 123 applications received from Ladakh province 103 pilgrims were selected.
These include 35 from Kargil and 68 from Leh districts. Present on the occasion were Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Mehboob
Iqbal, Revenue Secretary, Member Central Hajj Committee and other concerned officers.

Epilogue Ø
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August 2008

Freedom at Midnight
I New Work Culture in Vohra's Secretariat
f Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins
were in Jammu and Kashmir this July,
there was an apt plot for part of
'Freedom at Midnight'. Putting an end to
the political chaos and uncertainty of a
month, the Governor NN Vohra on the
intervening night of July 10 and 11
assumed all powers and responsibilities of
the state government. The midnight
proclamation also dissolved the
legislative assembly some four months
ahead of its term. The proclamation said
that in exercise of powers conferred by
Section 92 of the Constitution of Jammu
and Kashmir, the Governor assumed, with
immediate effect all the functions of the
Government of the State and all powers
vested in or exercisable by anybody or
authority in the State, other than the
powers vested in or exercisable by the
High Court. After the acceptance of
resignations of the Chief Minister, Ghulam
Nabi Azad, and his Council of Ministers on
July 7, no party or group showed any
inclination for forming the next
government. This was the fifth time when
J&K is under Governor's rule. First time it
was in 1977 when the then state Congress
chief Mufti Sayeed pulled out support to
the Sheikh Abdullah government thus
plunging the state to Governor's rule for a
brief while till general elections were
held. LK Jha was the Governor at that
time. The Governor rule was again
imposed in Jammu and Kashmir in 1986,
when again Mufti as PCC chief pulled rug
from GM Shah's government. Then
Jagmohan held the reigns as Governor. In
1990 the Farooq government resigned in
protest against appointment of Jagmohan
as Governor and subsequently the
Governor's rule was imposed which
continued, with intervals of President's
rule, for next six years.
P O WN EE RW SC OWRRRA I PD O R
GOVERNMENT
J&K &INADMINISTRATION
JULY
Brief Interruption
W
ith the fall of Ghulam Nabi Azad led Congress-PDP coalition government
and subsequent imposition of Governors rule in the state, the seat of
governance i.e. the Civil Secretariat, in the summer capital, Srinagar,
seems to have undergone a visible metamorphosis towards a better working. The
Executive, Legislature and Judiciary are the three pillars of democracy and the
press too is called the fourth estate. With the legislature dissolved under the
prevalent political crises the judiciary too has taken a back seat owing to the fact
that the judicial review and the judicial activism targeting the alleged politically
motivated policy decisions are no more in limelight as political bosses rest in
hibernation, at least for the time being. Under such circumstances the Governor-
led civil secretariat appears to have positively adapted to the frame shift in
governance and that too towards a new trend of work culture.
Firstly taking the point of visitors to the civil secretariat, both in qualitative and
quantitative terms, it becomes evident that the shift has taken to people-
oriented executive which was hitherto an executive responsible to the political
bosses. Poor people and the aggrieved ones can be randomly seen directly putting
their case to the officials even up to the level of administrative secretaries. With
the political mediation off the scene the working has gone by and large in the
favor of people. Earlier the officers many time used to feel compelled to do work
owing to political pressure or the directions but these days the cases or petitions
are , in most cases, decided on merit and at the same time the officers in this seat
of bureaucracy feel satisfied for having directly contributed to the cause of public
and at the same time it gives them a moral incentive for a better performance.
Now, coming to the executive business in the civil secretariat, the speed of files
moving in the hierarchy of offices, vertically as well as laterally, could be
anybody's guess. The heap of files on the tables in offices of Governors aides
reflects the personal touch being extended to the cases on merit basis and a close
examination of various issues. With record 140 transfers and postings in a day the
N N Vohra –led administration is still going ahead with an unrelenting
administrative overhaul in the administration of this state which is scheduled to
go for assembly elections later this year.
While the political executive is back to pavilion, the no-nonsense and some
'revered politicians' can still be found in the civil secretariat, making way for some
of their unfinished or unaccomplished jobs and targets. At least two to three
former ministers, known to have their widespread goodwill among the
bureaucracy, visited the civil secretariat last week and are reportedly extended
due treatment. But at the same time the so-called arrogant and tough ministers
are still hesitating to make their maiden visit to the civil secretariat after the fall
of government in first week of July. At the same time the former legislatures are
going on the same spree as it used to happen in the time of Government but now it
Epilogue Ø
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August 2008
 P O WN EE RW SC OWRRRA I PD O R
GOVERNMENT
J&K &INADMINISTRATION
JULY

has taken to be a one-to-one relation advantage. Coming to the other side of Movers & Shakers
executive, some secretaries have shifted their offices to those vacated by the

J
ust two days after assuming his
concerned ministers, few of them not opting for that have preferred to use them office in Civil Secretariat, the
as retiring rooms to attend personal guests and so on. Governor NN Vohra ordered a spate
of transfers and postings in Civil
The grievance redressal mechanism has also been pressed into action. Many Administration and Police. Ranging from
officers sidelined by the political bosses, for not obliging or coming true to the Principal Secretaries down to the level of
political aspirations of local leaders, are now putting up their case more Sub Divisions, at least 200 officers have
aggressively and the results are showing a positive trend too. Many such officers been moved within one week. Sources in
could find their return to the 'mainstream administration' within a week long the government say that most of these
parlays which would have been rather impossible when the political heads were proposals were already in pipeline and
these transfers would have been affected
unhappy for one reason or the other. The Heads of the Departments can be seen
in any case if the popular government had
discussing the priorities and modalities for the transfers and postings, in most
continued. This, however, has not gone
cases on merit, apart form other policy decisions and development initiatives. In
well with the Peoples Democratic Party.
the absence of the political direction the things are moving more in a technical
Senior PDP leader and former Finance
way. Minister Tariq Hameed Karra says that
there is an unrest in bureaucracy due to
Inside the civil secretariat, at some corners the 'under table' is also raising its head large scale reshuffle. He has asked the
in the garb of smooth and efficient delivery mechanism. Earlier the files used to Governor to dispel perceptions of local
move at low cost with the political directions from above but since the latter has officers being sidelined in the
gone missing the nuisance value of the lower rung of officials especially in the administrative affairs.
financial wings of the departments have led to hike in the fixed prices but that is
not coming without amazingly fast speed of work. But this has to go side-by-side
since the shadow can not be relieved from the object. As long as the
administrative gains are overweighing these sporadic malpractices the Sorry for Kundal

W
administration will keep going efficiently, as observed from the present pace of ith no more political bosses
developments. calling shots in the power
corridors, the Administrative
Secretaries have been empowered by the
The arrival and departure of the Governor in civil secretariat is not less than a
Governor with powers once Ministers
ceremonial moment. With his arrival the side doors of the ground floor corridor
enjoyed. The Chief Secretary is perhaps
are closed and the jubilant officials and visitors can be seen struggling to have
now more powerful than the Chief
glimpse of the new head of the state, the life seems to coming to standstill for Minister. He can transfer any senior
making way for the Governor. A look on the secretariat at the time of his arrival officer or vet any policy decision for
still reflects as if the Governor is coming on his maiden visit after the fall of which even the Chief Minister would have
coalition government, even senior officers wait to have a glimpse and for the to hear long and unpleasant arguments of
visitors it is an occasion to catch as a moment in history. his cabinet colleagues. The sarcasm in the
Civil Secretariat now often misses the
Students of political science would argue, owing to the various theories of former Chief Secretary BR Kundal.
bureaucracy, that the need of political heads for the executive is inevitable as the Unaware of the gamble politics is known
bureaucrats lack innovativeness and follow the rule book only but the present as Kundal put down his papers, ten
months ahead of his retirement, to join
work culture that has emerged in the civil secretariat reflects that given a chance
Ghulam Nabi Azad Ministry. The Ministry
the bureaucracy can well run the state administration but of course there is a
has gone and so is Kundal. But for his
danger of centralization of power if the system is followed for a prolonged tenure
crashed political ambitions, today he
but that is not the issue here as the elections are round the corner and
would have been the most powerful man
bureaucracy wants to do well in this unique opportunity. in J&K, of course, after Governor.

Epilogue Ø
9×
August 2008
 C O L U M N
KEEN EYE

J&K At Brink
The Simmering Volcano That Exploded

Balraj Puri

For nine days Kashmir Valley witnessed a popular upsurge reminiscent of early days of onset of militancy in 1989-90. Calm
was restored on 30 June when the state government revoked the order of transfer of 800 kanals of land to Shri Amarnath
Shrine Board. A similar nine days upsurge erupted in Jammu on 30 June when the new Governor NN Vohra offered to return
the land to the government if the government took over the arrangement for pilgrims except those connected with religious
ceremonies. The fire is still raging.

T
he Sangarsh Samiti, which
included over 30 organizations
besides BJP privar, demanded
cancellation of the revocation
order and recall of the new governor.
The tempo of the agitation slackened
after 7 July when the Chief Minister GN
Azad submitted his resignation and
when people distributed sweets over
their first victory against the wishes of
the leaders of the agitation. Therefore,
they changed their modus operandi to
peaceful methods like dharnas and
relay hunger strike. Tempo again ran
high when one youngman, Kuldip Raj,
sitting on dharana, allegedly committed
suicide for the cause. The way police
snatched his deadbody form the family
members and tried to cremate it
aggravated the situation.
To be sure, the transfer of land was not
the sole cause of sharpening the divide
between the two principle regions of
the state. A simmering discontent, due
to a number of causes got an outlet by
this event.
Massive Outlet to Kashmir Alienation
The popular alienation in the valley
found its ex-pression in militancy
initially. Its decline in recent years,
uncertain policy of the new civilian
government of Pakistan on Kashmir and
its recognition to the major mainstream
leaders of the valley Omar Abdullah and
Mehbooba Mufti, the president of the
National Conference and PDP
respectively, tended to erode the
political space of the militancy. The
valley-based mainstream parties were
vying with each other in representing
popular Kashmiri sentiments in the
election year and were in the process
of appropriating further the space of
the separatist parties. Mirwaiz Umar
Farooq who leads the largest
conglomeration of separatist parties
was a staunch supporter of General
Musharraf and continued his admiration
for the Pakistan President even after
defeat of pro-Musharraf parties. Syed
Ali Shah Geelani who represents the
rival and extremist group of the
Hurriyat Conference, was a persona
non grata in the previous regime of
Pakistan continued to be so after the
governmental change. He found a God-
sent opportunity on the issue of transfer
of the government land to the Amarnath
Board and set up a broad based
committee called Action Committee
Against Land Transfer (ACALT) and
headed by the former president of the
Kashmir Bar Association. Though the
Mirwaiz faction is trying to mend his
fences with new Pakistan government,
he also feels neglected by the
Government of India. He, therefore,
unconditionally joined Geelani-
sponsored committee. The mainstream
parties, not be to left behind, made
more vocal noises on the issue of
transfer of land to the Shrine Board.
When yatra buses were stoned, Geelani
was quick to condemn that attack and
clarified that the agitation was not
against the yatra or Hindus but only
against the government. Thereafter
some of the leaders of the agitation
visited yatries and offered them with
free langar.
Govt Bungled Over Land Allotment
Issue
While the fears expressed by the
extremists that the move of the
government was motivated to settle
outside Hindus on the land acquired by
the Board in order to reduce Kashmiri
Muslims to a minority are certainly far
fetched, the government is no less
responsible for its bungling on the issue.
It took about three years for the
government to finalise the deal on 18
May after prolonged deliberations at
various levels. It did not clarify its
position till the popular protest against
the land deal mounted in the valley.
Even then the defence of the deal was
mainly left to the Governor and his
secretary and CEO of the Board Arun

Epilogue Ø
10 ×
August 2008

Kumar. As both of them were outsiders
and the latter reportedly said that the
land in question was purchased
permanently by the Board on payment
of Rs 2.5 crore, the explanation further
infuriated the sentiment in the valley.
Late in the day, the Deputy Chief
Minister Muzaffar Baig and the PDP
leader tried to exonerate his party by
explaining that it was blackmailed by
the Congress to support the land deal
under the threat that construction of
the Mughal Road which connects Muslim
majority part of Jammu region viz
Rajouri-Poonch with Kashmiri Muslims
will be stopped if the deal was not
signed. It does no credit to either of the
coalition partner. It was as bad for the
Congress, if it really tried to blackmail,
as for the PDP to be blackmailed.
Land was Neither Transferred Nor
Payment Made
The Chief Minister released a nine page
explanation about the entire problem as
late as on 15 June. He clarified that the
land had not been sold and its use for
providing shelter and toilet facilities
etc was limited to the Yatra period and
no permanent structure was to be
constructed on it. The explanation
followed a similar statement by the new
governor. But it was too late to satisfy
the enraged sentiments of the people
who demanded complete revocation of
the land deal, which was not done till 30
June.
Apparently, turmoil in both the regions
is over a trivial issue. As long as the
pilgrims are assured of all facilities, it
should not have mattered much how the
task is shared by the Board and the
government department concerned.
There is a need to understand the
political dynamics about the manner in
which the events have unfolded in both
C O L U M N
KEEN EYE
Jammu and Valley. The significant fact
in this context is that the trouble in
Kashmir started at a time when there
was confusion and demoralization in the
separatist camp, and the new Pakistan
government was very conciliatory
towards India. The obvious conclusion
from this fact is that alienation in
Kashmir Valley is not entirely an
imported phenomenon the indigenous
causes need to be studied and
remedied.
Jammu's Accumulated Discontent
Exploded
Likewise, Jammu's discontent which is
mainly political is long standing. It just
needed a flash point to explode. The
foremost problem in the state is to
evolve a constitutional system which
can reconcile diverse interests and
aspirations of the three regions in the
state. Otherwise tensions between
regions will continue to feed extremist
sentiments in all the regions. In
Kashmir, they seek secessionist and
anti-India outlet. In Jammu, reactions
takes communal or integrationist
(abrogation of Article 370) form. The
divergent reactions form a vicious circle
reinforcing each other .
Even in the euphoria in Jammu that
followed after G N Azad took over the
office of the Chief Minister, first person
from Jammu to do so in the last sixty
years, proved to be a temporary
palliative. Not only disillusionment soon
started in Jammu region, complaints of
discrimination were raised in Kashmir
also. Occasionally, echoes of regional
tensions were heard in the cabinet
which was divided on regional lines on
many issues.The People Democratic
Party leader and Finance Minister in the
state government, for instance,
publicly raised the issue of
Epilogue Ø
11 ×
August 2008
discrimination against Kashmiri Muslims
in the recruitment by Service Selection
Board and by the State Vigilance
Organizations.
J&K state which is the most diverse
state of India, has ironically most
centralized system. Not to speak of
regional autonomy that was promised
by Nehru and Sheikh Abdullah in July
1952, on my plea, which was never
implemented , the state does not have
even institutions of democratic
decentralization that is, Panchayat Raj
which is present in the rest of the
country. Development was the main
plank of the Congress-led government.
But it is no substitute for an urge for
empowerment and identity. There is a
need for secular institutional fora for
the people at various levels for this. The
unrealistic approach of the Congress has
led to its gradual isolation firstly in
Kashmir Valley and then in Jammu.
Coming to the current turmoil in
Jammu, it is regrettable that leaders of
Congress took four days to visit Jammu
since it started. The situation was left
to be handled by bureaucrats to assuage
popular sentiments who are ill-
equipped for the task. However the
agitators in the larger interests of
Jammu must realize that Secular
traditions and secular identity of
Jammu have been its greatest strength
since post-Independence era despite
many provocations. By raising religious
slogans and making the land deal a
Hindu problem they would be damaging
the cause of Jammu. Muslims of Jammu
are as much politically and socially
alienated in the centralized political
setup as their Hindu counterparts of
Jammu. Though initially some
communal clashes were reported in
Bhaderwah, Rajouri, Banihal and Samba
areas of Jammu, fortunately, the BJP

soon made overtures to Muslims of
Jammu who, too, reciprocated by
extending support to the main demand
of the agitation. Even Raj Nath Singh,
the National BJP President during his
visit to Jammu, met prominent Muslim
leaders and appreciated their role.
Jammu is also a vital geopolitical bridge
between the people of Kashmir and the
rest of the country. While people of
Jammu have a right to express their ire
against leaders of the agitation in
Kashmir and the state government, as
good patriots they should draw a
distinction between them and common
Kashmiris and not take the onus of
weakening their role as a bridge
between them and the rest of India.
The present situation also poses a
challenge to all Kashmiri parties. If that
Valley witnessed in early nineties could
not be maintained for long, despite
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C O L U M N
KEEN EYE
Pakistan's active support to militants as
also at the diplomatic and political
levels in the international for a, how can
it be done without that support now?
Complete silence of the Pakistan
government and that of the Pak media
over the recent turmoil in Kashmir
against which Untied Jehad Council
strongly protested, is not without
significance.
Kashmir-based parties need to decide
whether they want a solution for a
united state or only for the Valley. The
latter would be, more or less, on
religious lines. This will not be in the
interest of even Kashmir which will
lose its unique identity and
civilizational heritage. In case they
believe in the unity of the state, they
must start a dialogue with other
regions in evolving a system which can
harmonize interests and aspirations of
The Return Of Democracy
all of them.
After the present phase of yatra ends
and much before next phase starts, all
issues relating to the Board can be
sorted out amicably after the tempers
have cooled. Then experts can be
consulted to protect the ecology of the
area surrounding the Shrine, wide
ranging consultations can be held to
evolve a consensus over composition of
the Board—with larger representation
to the state subjects, for instance,--
and its functions ie providing medical
facilities, temporary shelter, labour and
ponies, food stalls to be shared between
the Board and the concerned
department of the government. But
without removing basic causes of the
simmering volcano, which explodes
occasionally on slightest provocation,
normalcy cannot be maintained in the
long run.
March 2008
In Neighbourhood, Its
Significance for
Jammu & Kashmir
February 2008
The Money Movement
January 2008
Economy &
Other Ideas
December 2007
Forests Foresters
November 2007
Ladakh
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 I N F O C U S
UNFINISHED AGENDA

Fall Of Coalition

Good Riddance, Indeed !

Zafar Choudhary

Good riddance indeed! This is what

the man on streets said in the
afternoon of July 7. Since early
morning that day, lakhs across the
state were glued to the television
screens to see how Ghulam Nabi Azad
proves his claims on floor of the
Legislative Assembly. Just 20 hours
ahead of the session he inaugurated
state-of-the-art Legislative Assembly

complex where he had to face the
historical trust vote the next morning.
Perhaps the most daunting challenge
of his political career. With no floor
equation working in his favour, the
public anxiety was highly raised since
the evening of July 6 when Azad said
that he would be inaugurating yet
another building on July 22 (of
course, in his capacity as Chief
Minister). Until it collapsed the next
morning, such confidence has rarely
been seen among politicians locked in
unpredictable political scenarios.
T
here was a pin-drop silence. Silence, in Legislative Assembly
as well as in the living rooms of all those watching
proceedings (though with interruptions as there was no live
telecast) on the television screens. Repeatedly looking at
heaps of papers laying at his table, Azad began with his lengthy and
politically dry speech. In next two hours he counted the kilometers of
road constructed during his regime, meters of bridges laid, number of
rooms built, number of officials arrested for corruption, the number
of flowers that bloomed in the Tulip Garden and the parks developed
exclusively for women…etc. And then came the stunning thing.
“There are many in opposition who have their hearts beating with me
but they have their whips somewhere else…I don't want to put them in
awkward situation…therefore I am driving to the Raj Bhawan to
tender my resignation”, said Ghulam Nabi Azad amidst sullen faced of
his ministerial colleagues and thumping of desks from opposition.
Thus spoke the common man –Good riddance!
Azad's fall was imminent after Peoples Democratic Party culminated
its two and half years of 'hide and seek' politics by pulling the rug. It
happened when just four months had left for the present term of
legislative assembly to end. In a bid to cash in on the stirred public
sentiment in Kashmir Valley on Shri Amarnath Shrine land controversy
the PDP pulled out on June 29 leaving the Azad ministry in minority.

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August 2008

Putting up a brave face, Azad made all
desperate attempts to save his
government. Analysts say saving
government for another four months
would not have made any difference for
the public left disenchanted during the
last five and half years. But this would
have certainly made difference for Azad
and his Congress party. The fag end
populist measures could have
brightened poll prospects of
Congress. Azad was sure of sailing
through till a midnight meeting with
the Governor NN Vohra on July 6.
Even the naïve would have
understood that except defection
and poaching there was no other
way for Azad to survive the trust
vote. The Governor probably
warned of the political backlash and
next morning Azad preferred to
make an honourable exit. It was a
close shave for his credibility and
good riddance for the public.
Why good riddance? Not that Azad,
or his predecessor Mufti Mohammad
Sayeed, was bad administrator. No.
Both have a reputation of being
good rulers and are known for their
sympathy for the public aspirations.
In their political careers both have
demonstrated their skills well.
Under the three-years-each
rotational power sharing
agreement, Mufti Mohammad
Sayeed's first term was marked by a
slew of political initiatives. The
subsequent term of Ghulam Nabi Azad
saw a huge focus on infrastructure
development. Then what went wrong? It
was the internal unhealthy competition
of political survival between both
parties and their leaders which put the
public at receiving end and betrayed a
trust public reposed in the PDP-
I N F O C U S
UNFINISHED AGENDA
Congress coalition during 2002
elections.
“It is not an ordinary elections, it is an
election for peace, an election for
resolution of Kashmir issue”, this is that
Mufti would say during his campaign
trail of 2002. Mufti's infant party was
returned with 16 seats. In Jammu
region, Azad projected himself as hero
of the region. “Come forward and
create a history…this time it is in your
hands…vote Congress to power and have
first Chief Minister from Jammu
region”, this was Azad's punch line in
the history's most credible elections
held in this state. Jammu people
returned Congress with 15 seats, which
got five from Kashmir and as many
independent supporters.
Epilogue Ø
15 ×
August 2008
A study by the New Delhi based Center
for Study of Developing Societies (CSDS)
puts PDP in equal parlance with the
Bahujan Samaj Party of Mayawati where
assuming power is the sole ideology of
parties. In a House of 87, having just 16
seats in its kitty, Mufti played his
Kashmir cards well to grab power. With
its Kashmir policy at risk, the Congress
was made to bow down allowing
the PDP to form government for
first three years. He made all the
politically right kind of noises for
first three years and ensured
that there was a chaos for next
three years when Ghulam Nabi
Azad of Congress took the
charge. Since November 2005, it
was brinkmanship Jammu and
Kashmir was out under. Every
new day PDP would threaten
survival of Government. Those
close to the power corridors
made best of both worlds during
the years of political instability
while the common man was
allowed to suffer. If 2002
assembly elections were the
most credible of J&K's history,
the government which took over
was perhaps the most insincere
to the public sentiments.
Immediately after handing over
power to the Congress, the PDP
embarked on a plan to secure its
constituency for 2008 elections.
The first arrow from its bow was support
to the 'self rule' proposal of President
Musharraf –something unsuitable to the
local Congress constituency. Next was
demilitarization and repeal of all those
laws –like AFSPA –which continued
during the PDP regime. This put the
Chief Minister Azad on a defensive who
instead of focusing on governance plan
had to utilize all his energies to counter
the PDP blitzkrieg. A protracted battle

between the coalition partners while on
one hand dismantled the public trust in
government on the other hand it made
bureaucracy more powerful than the
political leadership leading to irrational
decisions. It was a worst kind of chaos
and disarray which the warring coalition
partners put the state into. It is for
everyone to heave a sigh of relief after
the fall of such an inconvenient
arrangement.
Art of Survival
Congress had more numbers than the
PDP but still Mufti regime was more
stable than the Azad dispensation. In
fact Mufti mastered the art of political
survival and Azad lost to his over
confidence. Though a deep dent it was
to the public exchequer, Mufti made
every body, more or less, a Minister
whosoever supported the coalition.
Besides a 38 member council of
Ministers, he had a dozen other
legislators adjusted as chairpersons of
corporations and boards with the status
and protocol of ministers. Therefore,
even the Congress legislators were more
comfortable with Mufti. However, they
had always aspired of getting more
under Azad's term.
When Azad took over the power, he
dropped most of the independents and
the Congress legislators who were
Ministers in Mufti's government. The
strength of Minister was reduced from
38 to 10. Gripe started nourishing right
from the day one. The Congress camp
was more annoyed with Azad than
anyone else. Senior party leaders like
Mangat Ram Sharma (Deputy Chief
Minister in Mufti Government), Taj
Mohiuddin and Peerzada Mohammad
Sayeed were humiliated with the
I N F O C U S
UNFINISHED AGENDA
p o r t f o l i o s l i k e Yo u t h A f f a i r s ,
Information Technology and Animal
Husbandry etc. Therefore, he created a
powerful enemy camp within his own
party. Among his first major policy
decisions he brought legislation on
downsizing the Ministry to 25 per cent of
total strength of legislature. This
blocked the prospects of many to
become a Minister even as the cabinet
was expanded a year later. By yet
another legislation in December 2005,
Azad made anti-defection law in Jammu
The rag-tag coalition with
Congress and PDP as major
partners; Panthers Party,
CPI(M) and dozen and half
other independents as minor
partners agreed on a 30-point
basic preamble called as the
Common Minimum Programme
and Kashmir most stringent of the
country. He had probably done this to
check dissidence in his own party. After
fall of his government, Azad admitted
that if he had not brought the anti-
defection law, his government could
have sailed through easily in the trust
vote “as many in oppositions had their
hearts beating with me”.
CMP, What?
Some three years ahead of 2002
elections an opinion was created by
many political parties and some covert
agency elements that National
Conference was the worst regime
Jammu and Kashmir ever had.
Epilogue Ø
16 ×
August 2008
Therefore the next election was project
as a cleansing operation put the state on
a path of peace and progress. At the
time of formation of coalition
government in 2002, the hopes were
raised to a level as if not the leaders but
Prophets were going to govern. The rag-
tag coalition with Congress and PDP as
major partners; Panthers Party, CPI(M)
and dozen and half other independents
as minor partners agreed on a 30-point
basic preamble called as the Common
Minimum Programme. The CMP drafted
under the chairpersonship of Dr
Manmohan Singh (now Prime Minister)
had points from the election manifesto
of all coalition partners. An 11-member
Coalition Coordination Committee
(CCC) was constituted with Ghulam
Nabi Azad as its chairman. Mehbooba
Mufti, Saif-ud-Din Soz and Mohammad
Yusuf Tarigami were prominent among
the members of the CCC. The CCC had
only two meetings –first in December
2002 and next in January 2003 –before it
was unceremoniously buried forever.
Therefore, there was never a
coordination between the coalition
partners no periodic review of the
C o m m o n M i n i m u m Pr o g r a m m e .
Ironically, the CMP was never talked
about in next five years and, obviously,
the progress on the pledges made
therein was never reviewed. Now since
the coalition has collapsed, its leaders
have not been telling people that what
they did with those pledges. In the
following pages EPILOGUE has made an
attempt to discuss each and every point
of the CMP and analyse the work done
on the pledges. Points have been
arranged in a manner to suit the layout.
Text in the bold is exactly what was
mentioned in the CMP under any
particular point and it follows by our
analysis of the sector.
 I N F O C U S
UNFINISHED AGENDA

PEACE PROCESS
Marked By Several Rounds Of Talking With Self

1
The Goal of the Coalition Government is to heal the physical, psychological and emotional wounds inflicted by
fourteen years of militancy, to restore the rule of law in Jammu and Kashmir State, to complete the revival of
the political process which was begun by the recently concluded elections, and to request the Government of
India to initiate and hold, sincerely and seriously wide ranging consultations and dialogue, without conditions,
with the members of the legislature and other segments of public opinion in all the three regions of the State,
C M P to evolve a broad based consensus on restoration of peace with honour in the State.

Epilogue Analysis: A desired outcome is though yet to be

EpilogueComments
seen but a largely mainstream level dialogue between New
Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir did really make some headway
during these years. The first modest step in this direction was
initiated by then Prime Minister Atal Behari Vapjayee in
February 2003 with appointment of New Delhi's all-time-
dependable retired bureaucrat NN Vohra as chief interlocutor
on Kashmir dialogue. Two years later Manmohan Singh
government kicked off a 'path-breaking' series of roundtable
conference which was more or less like New Delhi talking to
itself. Separatists did not participate. The only outcome –five
working groups were constituted. Four of them submitted their recommendations but implementation remained halfway; fifth
group is still in deadlock. While Vohra's progress was yet to be known that he took over the next Kashmir assignment –the Governor.

RELEASE OF DETENUES
More Bundled In Than Freed

3
The Government shall
review all cases of
detainees being held
without trial for long
periods. It shall release
all detainees held on
C M P
non specific charges,
those not charged with serious
crimes and those who have been held
on charges that are such that the
period they have spent in jail
exceeds their possible sentence.
Epilogue
Epilogue Analysis: This process ran
Comments
into rough weather within first month
of coalition government in office.
After assuming office in first week of
November 2002, Chief Minister Mufti
Mohammad Sayeed made a token
GEELANI was released from Ranchi Jail
gesture of releasing a dozen odd
detenues. In third week of same month
militants struck at the historic
Raghunath Temple in the winter
capital city of Jammu and the Mufti
regime came under sharp criticism for
allegedly “encouraging elements of
violence”. New Delhi too put its foot
down and a panel comprising officers
from Union Ministry of Home Affairs
and J&K Home department was
constituted to screen case of each
detenue on individual merit. The
screening committee could not meet
for a long and then was abandoned
after a couple of meetings. However,
the government continued to release
some detenues without making fuss.
Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mohammad
Yaseen Malik were the two high profile
names in this category. The last batch
of 42 detenues, with petty cases
against them, was released in January
2006.

Epilogue Ø
17 ×
August 2008
 I N F O C U S
UNFINISHED AGENDA

CURBING VIOLENCE PROBING RIGHTS VIOLATIONS

Militancy Declined Phenomenally Routine Affair,
No Institutional Mechanism

2
C M P

E n s u r i n g
safety of lives
5
C M P
All cases of custodial killings and
violations of Human Rights shall be
investigated and persons responsible for
them will be identified and punished
appropriately.

and properties,
restoring
dignity and honour of all persons in the State will be the
foremost concern of the Government. The Coalition
Government will take all possible measures, within its
power, to protect all the people in the State of Jammu and
Kashmir from violence and militancy, whether originating
from within or outside the State, and to encourage those
youngmen from the State who have restored to militancy
to return to their families and the mainstream, with the belief
that they will receive security and justice according to law. At
the same time, the State Government will fully cooperate
with the Government of India in combating cross border
militancy originating from Pakistan.

Year No. of
Epilogue Analysis incident
No such inquiry was ever reported
Epilogue Analysis Remarkable decline in militant instituted into such cases. 2003 29
violence has been registered year after year since November However, details gathered 2004 31
2002. A computation of statistics reveals that violence ebbed from different forces –Army, 2005 ?
by around 25 per cent to 30 percent over every previous year. CRPF, Police etc –suggest that Total 73
However, the commitment of facilitating safe return of 220 personnel have been 2006 07
youth who had crossed over the Line of Control for arms 2007 09
punished for the Human
training could not day of light even as many of them 2008 Nil
Rights violations in past one
expressed such a desire. Total 16
decade. (See Table)

Epilogue Ø
18 ×
August 2008
 I N F O C U S
UNFINISHED AGENDA

REPEAL OF DRACONIAN LAWS

AFSPA Still In Place, Working In Style

4
The Government shall review the operation
of all such laws that have been used in the
past decade to deprive people of their basic
rights to life and liberty for long periods of
time, without due legal process. Where the
Government dreams that some special
C M P
powers need to be retained, it will ensure,
by instituting careful and transparent pre-screening and
monitoring procedures, that such powers are used
sparingly and those entrusted with them are held
accountable for any misuse.
Epilogue Analysis The obvious reference here is towards
the Armed Forces Special Powers Act which still remains in
place and is being well used by the security forces. As long as
PDP was in chair there was never a discussion on this. However,
noises were made only after handing over power to the
Congress. A high level committee constituted by the Prime
Minister on March 30, 2007 under the chairmanship of Defence
Minister refused to recommend repeal of AFSPA.

STRENGTHENING SHRC HELPING MILITANCY VICTIMS

HR Watchdog Treated As Sick PSU Half Hearted

Measure

6
The Government shall government claims that the SHRC was
strengthen the State Human strengthened and empowered with the

7
The Govt
Rights Commission to make it appointment of a Police officer of the rank of shall
an effective instrument for Inspector General and subordinate staff wad formulate a
addressing the grievances of deputed to probe the cases. Interestingly, the comprehens
the people of the State. appointment of any Police officer to the SHRC ive relief
C M P has always been given the impression of a and
Epilogue Analysis Appointed by National punishment posting or adjusting an officer C M P rehabilitation

Conference regime, Justice (retd) Ali who is not required anywhere else. Till 2006, package for
the Commission's Police wing was headed by those families affected by
Mohammad Mir resigned as Chairman of
the DIG who was, militant violence over
State Human Rights Commission in
u n f o r t u n a t e l y, the past decade. The ex-
August 2006 saying that the government
handicapped and at the gratia relief at Rupees
was not taking recommendations of the
verge of his retirement. one lakh per deceased
commission seriously. This can explain
An IGP was sent in July person in militant
the story as how seriously the issues of
2006 when he had just violence will be raised to
human rights protections were taken by
two months left for Rs. 2 lakhs. In
coalition government. A month later,
retirement. The last recruitment to
Justice MY Kawoos was appointed as
Police officer at the Government posts,
SHRC chief at the age of 64 while the
SHRC, PL Gupta, an preference will be given
retirement age provided by the
IGP took up only two to one member of each
legislation is 65. Therefore, the SHRC is
cases for investigation family where an innocent
headless since November 2007. as he was too sad over member has been killed
So what did the SHRC do all these years? A locked building of SHRC Photo/KT
his appointment in the militancy related
Sources in the Commission say that outside the regular Police force. The violence.
recommendations in some 4700 cases were government never imposed its writ on the
forwarded to the government which only 1700 issue. Epilogue Analysis
were 'considered' for implementation. “We In Srinagar, the Commission still operates Relief, of course, hiked.
must understand here that only 1700 were from a rented hotel room. A building was No such policy ever
considered and not implemented…the proposed in the heart of Srinagar city but the formulated to accord
percentage of implementation is well below project was later abandoned. Now the preference to militancy
5%”, said an official. proposed SHRC building in Srinagar is City's victims in Government
Of the biggest achievements on HR front, the most famous garbage dumping spot. jobs.

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REHAB OF EX-MILITANTS RETURN OF KASHMIRI PANDITS

They Won When Kashmiriyat Incomplete,
Govt Lost Even Two Decades Later

8
The Govt shall

implement
special
schemes to
rehabilitate
former
C M P militants who
have forsworn
violence and rejoined the
mainstream. The Govt will
reach out to the children,
widows and parents of the
deceased militants and
make endeavours to provide
free education to the
militancy affected orphans.
Epilogue Analysis
Implementation of first part
was never made public.
Interestingly, a policy to
rehabilitate the families of
slain militants was approved
by the Chief Secretary at a
high level meeting five days
after fall of coalition
government. Sources say that
the PDP had wanted
implementation of this policy
towards the end of the
government tenure so as to
sell these measures in Kashmir
Valley during elections.
9
The Government reaffirms that the return of Kashmiri Pandits to their
mother land is an essential ingredient of Kashmiriat. The Government
will seek the cooperation of all elements in the society to create an
atmosphere conducive to their safe return, will take all necessary steps
to ensure their safety and devise effective measures for their
rehabilitation and employment.
C M P
Epilogue Analysis This is something Farooq Abdullah started harping on since 1996 when
the first popular government took over after long spell of direct rule. The mood of Kashmiri
Pandits is same in 2008 as it was in 2002 or in 1996. Several schemes and packages announced
–latest being Prime Minister's Rs 1700 Crore package –but the migrants did not agree. Perhaps
more than money, the political will lacked to restore this essential ingredient of Kashmiriyat.
Return & rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants and employment to migrant youth
Total migrant families in Jammu :35500, Families in camps : 5000
1. 1024 two-room tenements at Jammu for Kashmiri Migrants at Muthi, Purkhoo & Nagrota
(a) Constructed at a cost of Rs.51cr (b) Complete (c) Allotted in Mar'08 to most deserving migrants.
2. Work on 4224 flats in 176 buildings at Jagti Nagrota
For Kashmiri Camp Migrants, Cost of Rs 254.00 Crore. Under PMRP , Foundation stone laid by Hon'ble PM on
15.07.2007, To be completed by Sept'09, Progress:
Excavation work for 156 buildings completed, Foundation of 152 buildings laid, Plinth level work
completed for 90 buildings , Slab of 576flats (72 buildings) laid , Brick work of 5 buildings completed, 1
Sample building ready
3. Corpus Fund of Rs.5.00 Crore created to be administered through an Empowered Committee for Kashmiri
migrants.
4. Scholarship to orphans affected by militancy:
Financial assistance @ Rs 750/- p.m per child upto the age of 18 years (extendable upto the age of 21 years in
exceptional cases) with an additional Rs 150/- per month for children undergoing vocational/technical training to
all orphans without discrimination.
5. Housing:
# Assistance @ Rs 7.5 lakh per family for fully or partially damaged houses.
# Rs 2.00 lakh per family for dilapidated/unused houses.
# Rs 7.5 lakh per family for purchase/construction of a house in Group Housing Societies for those who have sold
their properties.

REHAB OF BORDER MIGRANTS

Massive Relief Package Could Not Unfold

10
Persons living close to the line of control
rehabilitation package which is still at various stages of
and the international border face special
implementation. Sources say that the state government had
difficulties due to recurrent tension and
drawn a massive populist program for rehabilitation of the people
cross border violence. Permanent along borders but before it could be implemented the
shelters will be constructed in all government collapsed. There are 13 assembly constituencies
vulnerable areas to prevent loss of life.
along the International Border in Jammu sector where Congress
C M P
The Government will also devise a has its significant influence. The rehabilitation of these people
scheme to provide, wherever feasible, alternative land to who become target of recurring shelling was the biggest card
such families in safe zones. Congress had to play in these areas. Now with fall of the
government, people, of course, have lost an opportunity of
Epilogue Analysis The Government of India sanctioned a rehabilitation but it has to be seen what they do with Congress.

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TRANSPARENCY HONOURING DOGRI

Worst Examples Of Body Corruption Now A Part Of 8th
Yet To Come Schedule Of
Indian Constitution

11
The Government shall give top priority to ridding
the State administration of corruption and

16
nepotism, especially in the award of Government The Government
jobs and contracts and places in institutions of shall press for the
higher learning. It will endeavour to make the inclusion of Dogri
selection process to all those positions and in the 8th
C M P Schedule of the
institutions fully transparent.
C M P Indian
Epilogue Analysis Amidst loud slogans of transparency, corruption in Constitution.
public life saw a phenomenal institutionalization in past five years –this Epilogue Analysis
certainly is not an exaggeration. Contemporaries say that the present era of Dogri was included in eighth schedule of
corruption was worst then the one under Bakhshi (Ghulam Mohammad) the Constitution of India.
regime.
In 2004, the Transparency International ranked Jammu and Kashmir second
AUTONOMY TO LADAKH
most corrupt state in India –obviously next only to Bihar. The Mufti
government intensified its campaign to eradicate corruption. He targeted Granted With
some 60 small government officials with some petty cases of corruption Big Heart
against them. They were sacked from service. The only high profile case

17
during Mufti regime was that of Ajit Kumar –a top IAS officer. He was tried, The Government
arrested and jailed in a scam dating back to 1999. The government had shall grant full
obviously wanted to reach to the Ministers of National Conference regime powers to the
but that did not happen. When Azad took over in 2006, he did not talk about Autonomous Hill
anything else except his war against corruption. The Vigilance Organisation Council for Leh
moved randomly against the officials more on the basis of complaints and which has hitherto
C M P
less on basic investigations. Amidst a tremendous fear psychosis among the been deprived of
government officials, the rate of bribe to be paid for every petty work its legitimate powers. Efforts will be
skyrocketed as officials openly admitted to the rising “risk factor”. During made to persuade the people of Kargil
the loud talk of anti-corruption campaign, Azad quietly reinstated Ajit Kumar to accept a similar Autonomous Hill
–fired by his predecessor on corruption charges –and gave him a plum Council for Kargil.
posting. He, however, continued to follow the Mufti trend of terminating
officials. The high profile case in Azad's list of sacking was that of Syed Asghar Epilogue Analysis Since last 50 years
Hussain, then Director of Rural Development Department. Hussain, what people of Ladakh have been
interestingly, immediately made a way into Mufti's Peoples Democratic Party struggling for –the Union Territory status
and was made organizational Secretary. He is tipped to contest elections on –is yet to be achieved. But if one single
PDP ticket from Kishtwar constituency. largest achievement the PDP-Congress
There were three all time moral lows in the anti-corruption campaign: First coalition should always remembered for
–PDP's senior leader and then Finance Minister Tariq Hameed Karra openly was the empowerment of Autonomous
accused the Vigilance Organisation of targeting Muslims and particularly Hill Development Councils for Leh and
those from Kashmir Valley. Second –An MP and an MLA openly accused a top Kargil. Perhaps a best form of local
ranking cabinet Minister Mangat Ram Sharma of massing wealth of billions of governance anywhere, the LAHDC is a
rupees through misuse of his official position. Worse still, these allegations classic case of a 'State within a State'.
were made in presence of CM, dozens of opposition legislators and hundreds This was among the first major decisions
of senior officers of administration. Third –allegation cropped up of offering implemented by the coalition
undue benefits to the Chief Minister's brothers. government.

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‘Kashmir Problem Too Enormous

To Be Linked With Elections’

Talking to the political parties in current scenario simply means furthering their personal-political agenda. They have not
been heard saying anything except blaming each other. EPILOGUE caught up with an independent and dispassionate
observer of politics for a comment. Representing ASAIAN AGE in Kashmir Valley, one of South Asia's reputed journalists,
YUSUF JAMEEL feels that premature fall of coalition government averted an unavoidable season of loot ahead of elections.

W
hile campaigning during 2002 assembly
elections most of the participating political
parties, more particularly the Peoples
Democratic Party, described the exercise as a
“decisive election” and slogans like “vote for peace” and
“vote for Kashmir resolution” were often heard of. You
have been looking at all this as a journalist. What changes do
you find in the Valley after five and half years when parties
are preparing for next round elections?
I don't think much has changed except for the PDP which would
this time find it hard to convince the people on its being
sincere vis-à-vis what it promises or disseminates.
You must have looked at the 30-point Common Minimum
Program of the PDP-Congress coalition. Do you think they
were able to deliver what they promised?
No. The coalition partners except the Congress openly admit
they have failed to deliver as a band. The PDP may seek to
portray the first three years of the coalition rule when it was
at the command as the “golden period” but the fate of many
pledges that figured in the CMP betrays its claim. The party
also stands exposed on certain vital issues such as women's
bill and the return of Kashmiri youth stuck across the Line of
Control. Mr. Ghulam Nabi Azad's crusade against corruption
also met with a failure. Smaller groups such as PDF chose to
make hay while the sun shines. The role of CPI(M) though
only supporting the coalition from outside has been equally
disappointing.
The coalition government collapsed some four months ahead
of the completion of its term after a high pitched political
drama. Assembly stands dissolved. How do you look at this
premature collapse if seen in the perspective of the
commitments PDP and Congress made to the people in 2002?
How could they achieve in just a couple of months what they
failed to pull off for more than five and a half years? These few
months preceding the elections, I'm sure, would have seen
more loot than before if not by all but most of those at the
helm of affairs.
The PDP pulled the rug on issue of transfer of land to SASB.
Their Ministers were part of the cabinet which decided land
diversion. The key departments –Forest and Law –which
approved the proposal were also held by PDP Ministers.
Finally, do you think PDP took a principled stand on pulling
out of the coalition?
It doesn't help in politics to gnash your teeth.
It is a general feeling that all this controversy had deep
political motivation as elections are round the corner and
the dominant sentiment in the Valley was strongly against
the land transfer decision. So, which mainstream political

“The boycott of the elections being asked for by the Hurriyat Conference and other
pro-freedom groups will find many takers in the Valley which in turn will help
nonentities in mainstream politics. The PDP and National Conference can
equally benefit from it as was the case in 2002”

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party, do you think, stands to gain the most out of government's fall? ENDING YOUTH FRUSTRATION
Who Had Time
None! But, of course, the boycott of the elections being asked for by the
Hurriyat Conference and other pro-freedom groups will find many takers in the
For This
Valley which in turn will help nonentities in mainstream politics. The PDP and

20
Employment and
National Conference can equally benefit from it as was the case in 2002.
welfare of the
youth will
Governor's rule (direct rule) in Kashmir has always been seen as New Delhi's
receive special
direct control. Weeks after NN Vohra took over the charge of state
attention.
government; we are yet to hear anything like that. Does this reflect
Measures will be
disenchantment of Kashmiris with the just fallen government or Vohra has C M P
made all right moves after walking into Raj Bhawan? taken to help
those youth who have fallen victim to
He seems to be dispassionate. The moves he has initiated, so far, do not point drug abuse and narcotics due to
to his being interested in enjoying the power which is in contrast to what his frustration and unemployment.
predecessor was up-to. But I believe policies and dealings on Kashmir are
premeditated in New Delhi and, right now, its worry seems to be how to reverse Epilogue Analysis No such measures
the effect of what the Valley and Jammu witnessed lately. taken.

Till few weeks back the buzz in the North Block and South Block of New
Delhi was that Kashmir is very close to normalcy. Former J&K CM had said,
around ten days before fall of his government, that the majority in Kashmir
sees stakes in infrastructure development…Amidst this buzz, a small INFRASTRUCTURE
administrative decisions brought lakhs of Kashmiris on streets with loud Yes, Massive Boom
slogans of Azadi. Many said that Valley is back to the early 1990s mode.
Where does Kashmir stand today?

23
Special emphasis
will be laid on
I've always believed in Kashmiri sentiment being intact regardless of the provision of
changes- encouraging or otherwise- one may see taking place on the ground. basic minimum
One does remember visiting the countryside to cover the 2002 Assembly
needs such as
elections and while talking to the people lined up at the polling stations would
provision of safe
be firmly told that they were casting their vote only to see right people in the C M P
drinking water,
Assembly so that the problems and issues they face on daily basis like irrigation
water scarcity, electricity transformer repair or installation, supply of sanitation, rural roads, primary health
fertilizers are addressed well. The Kashmir problem before them was too care and elementary education and
enormous to be linked with the holding of elections or participation in these. school buildings.

The issues thrown by mainstream parties in 2002 elections seem to have Epilogue Analysis Infrastructure
lost their sheen. What, do you think, would dominate the forthcoming development, it goes without saying,
elections? And also, do you expect same level of participation in elections witnessed a huge growth under the PDP-
the way we saw in 2006 by-elections in three constituencies of North Congress coalition era. The all weather
Kashmir? black-topped road length increased from
1700.95 kilometers in 2002 to 2073.53
Certain people including a few in or connected with the Hurriyat Conference kilometers in 2008. 19 district and sub-
(Mirwaiz) were thinking on those lines. But the recent widespread unrest on district hospital buildings completed at a
the forestland issue has thrown up many lessons for the leadership to learn cost of Rs 442 Crores, 14 new buildings
from not to speak about runner-ups. What are the issues which may dominate
for Degree Colleges also constructed
the election scene depends on when these are actually held-in October this
among other major projects.
year or, as is being suggested by some people-in March next year.

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REPEAL OF POTA RATIONALISING ADMN UNITS

Frozen In First Cabinet Meeting Created More But Irrationally

19
The Government shall accord due

14
The Congress PDP coalition
consideration to the recommendations
Government considers that there
of the Wazir Commission.
are enough laws in existence to
deal with militancy. Therefore, it
will revoke /not implement POTA in
the State. C M P
C M P

Epilogue Analysis Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA)

was put under freeze but all other laws existing before
2002 giving sweeping powers to security forces are still in
operation.

DISBANDING SOG
Announced Not Done,
Still Exists

13
A Commission will be set up to
make recommendations for
reform of the Police
Administration to make it a more
effective and humane instrument
for investigation of crimes and
C M P
for the enforcement of law and
order. The Government will ensure that the
personnel in Special Operation Group (SOG) are
assimilated /relocated within the regular police
establishment.
Epilogue Analysis
No such commission was ever set up on Police
reforms. The commitment of disbanding or
assimilation of Special Operation Group was perhaps
the biggest lie of the times. After its first cabinet
meeting, the government announced disbanding of
SOG. Later it was clarified that instead of disbanding
SOG, the force has been merged in the regular police
for the duties of regular policing. However, staring on
the face of coalition for next five years as a case of
naked deception, the SOG continued to exist and it
still exists –sometimes known by the same name and
sometime by other names. Not only this, another
parallel force having same roles but more power than
SOG –the Special Striking Reserve –was raised these
years.
Epilogue Analysis
Irrationality in formation of administrative units has always
remained a cause of unrest in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly
at the regional level. Following widespread public agitation
over lopsided creation of development and administrative
units, the then state government headed by Sheikh Mohammad
Abdullah had constituted a Commission with Justice Janki
Nath Wazir as its chairman, in November 1981. The
Commission submitted its recommendations to the government
in 1983 suggested broad measures on reorganization of all
administrative units and rationalization of police hierarchy
down to the level of Police Station. Among other things, the
Wazir Commission suggested creation of three more districts in
Jammu Division and one more district in Kashmir Division. Both
Divisions had six districts each and implementation of Waziz
Commission would have meant nine districts in Jammu and
seven districts in Kashmir. Therefore, no government could
implement the recommendations for next two decades. The
PDP-Congress government went many steps ahead of the Wazir
Commission recommendations and created four more districts
in Kashmir and Jammu divisions. Eight districts were though
created but the issue remains there from where Wazir
Commission had picked up. Jammu was demanding more
districts in view of tough geographical terrain but the coalition
government simply did a balancing act.

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EMPLOYMENT PLAN POWER SECTOR

Died Midway With Death Of Coalition Not More Than 10MWs

Added In 5 Years

18
Our Government will give top priority to
the preparation of an employment

22
High priority will be given to
oriented medium term development plan the development of power
laying particular emphasis on the resources of the State and to
development of agriculture, extend the benefit of
horticulture, handicrafts, tourism, electricity to all villages of the
C M P
information technology, food processing State. The State Government
and environment friendly industrial activities. Efforts will be C M P will ask the Central Govt to
made to evolve a development strategy which provides at least ensure that the power
one productive job per family. generation in the State should be available to the
maximum extent possible for meeting the needs of
Epilogue Analysis The employment plan was kept to hang in the State.
balance for five long years. The government had apparently
wanted to open all
channels employment
towards the elections
as to keep the public
memory fresh.
However, as in case of
many other pledges
this too went as an
unrealized dream with
the fall of government.
Last two budgets spoke
of medium and long
term employment
plans. Teams of state government were sent to other states to study
various small and medium term employment terms. Their reports
are yet to be seen. However, the sources claim that the government
had identified some 90,000 odd vacancies at various levels to be
filled up under a “fast-track recruitment process”, during the last
two months in office. The Opposition leader Omar Abdullah says
that the government had planned to keep 1000 vacancies each at
disposal of some 60 legislators associated with the coalition to
secure their seats.
Epilogue Analysis The power situation in Jammu
Later, after fall of government Ghulam Nabi Azad too admitted that
and Kashmir is today worst than what was there in
had his government survived the floor test, some 90,000 youth
2002. In five and half years power projects of only
would have got government jobs and the remaining were to be
upto 10 MW have come up in the state, that too in
covered under unemployment stipend. Ladakh region. The government was keeping an eye
Still, a look at the statistics of past five years reveal that not more on 450 MW Baglihar power project, initiated in late
than 20,000 youth got jobs during the coalition era. Even though 1990s, but it is still nowhere near completion though
the government claims to have nearly 83,000 jobs but in this figure three operational deadlines were announced these
the temporary arrangement of education volunteers or similar years. Another project –Sawalakote 1200 MW
system in Police and agriculture department too have been –planned to be constructed in the state sector had to
accounted for. (See Table) be halted following a litigation.

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DELIMITING ASSEMBLY SEGMENTS PANCHAYATI RAJ

Opportunity Lost To Parochial Democracy Denied, Muzzled
Views, Lack Of Courage And Snatched

21
The Government shall

26
Panchayati Raj institutions will be
constitute Delimitation given both functional autonomy
Commission for delimiting the and adequate financial support
legislative Assembly for making them an effective
constituencies, as required by instrument for decentrailised
law. development. Early elections will
C M P
C M P
be held wherever they are due.
Epilogue Analysis Yet another controversial
issue hanging in balance for several decades, the Epilogue Analysis Men of wisdom say that most of
coalition government fell out within on this issue. The problems in Jammu and Kashmir emanate from denial of
demand of constitution of delimitation commission has democratic rights to the people at grassroots level. If we look
been primarily emanating from Jammu region which has at what happened to the Panchayati Raj intuitions in last five
less number of assembly constituencies than Kashmir years, democratic rights were not only denied but snatched
despite being larger in geography and population. The from people. Farooq Abdullah government had conducted
State cabinet (headed by Azad) in its meeting on July 6, Panchayat elections in 2000 after a staggering gap of 23 years
2006 cleared a decision on creation of more assembly but he did not delegate powers to elected Panchayats. Then
constituencies. This decision lacked vision and may be came the turn of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed who too followed
also the application of mind. Instead of constituting a the Farooq's legacy. The term of Panchayats was allowed to
Commission to look into the requirements, the lapse with endless wait for empowerment and fresh
government decided to enhance the number of elections were never conducted.
constituencies by 25% of the existing. Therefore, the
number of constituencies, in any case, had to be higher
MEASURES FOR MINORITIES
in Kashmir. The government described this as a historical
decision but first rejection came from Jammu region Perhaps 5 Years Were Too
which the government had sought to please.
Less A Time
Despite being an ill conceived largesse, the decision on

30
All the three regions of the State
hiking number of assembly constituencies could not be
have got religious minorities
implemented as all parties from Kashmir including the
which face special problems. The
PDP and National Conference ganged up to block any
Government shall give full
move which could have lead to creation of more
assembly segments in Jammu region. protection to the minorities and
safeguard their rights. A minority
C M P
Commission will be constituted to
ELEMENTARY EDUCATION
look after the interests of minority communities.
Enormous Growth
Epilogue Analysis Buddhists, Christians and Sikhs

24
A new scheme will be prepared
to universalize access to
elementary education for all
children. Services of
unemployed graduates will be
utilized for this purpose.
C M P Sources say that the government was all ready to set up a
Epilogue Analysis School education sector too
witnessed enormous growth
are miniscule yet visible minorities in Jammu and Kashmir.
Hindus too call them as minority. Of late their have been
demands of an institutional mechanism to safeguard
interests of minorities and therefore the coalition
government had pledged to set up a Minority Commission.
Minority Commission but search for a chairperson, a
politically correct person to serve interest of a ruling party,
could not materialize.

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WOMEN EMPOWERMENT URBAN PLANNING, DEMOCRACY

More Politics, Less Sincerity Some Semblance Of

Democracy Restored,

27
Keeping in view that women have borne the brunt
of violence in more ways than one over the past Some Planning Too
decade, special welfare programme will be
designed for women such as widow pensions,

29
Effective measures
subsistence allowance for women headed will be taken to check
households and self employment schemes for unplanned and
C M P young women. unauthorised growth
of towns and cities.
Epilogue Analysis Except for their politicization of all forms, the Jammu and Srinagar
C M P
women were left wanting for any special measures to improve their lot. They municipalities will be
were herded in hundreds and thousands for political rallies, particularly given the status of corporations to ensure
organized for Prime Minister or the Congress President, but every time orderly development of all civil facilities.
packed home with not even an announcement for their welfare. State's Effective measures will be taken for orderly
budget 2006-07 proposed an employment program for women in distress. At growth of towns and cities and for provision
target were 100 women in each district to avail loans from Women of basic civic amenities thereof.
Development Corporation at a rate of 5 % interest for setting up their own
ventures. Since the women in Jammu and Kashmir are not seen as
enterprising enough, the scheme could not see much progress for lack of
awareness. Seriousness of the regime in reaching out to the women can be
gauged from the fact that State Commission for Women remained headless
for five years. The Mufti government made a political appointment in 2004 by
nominating his would-be-successor Ghulam Nabi Azad's singer wife as
Chairperson of the Commission but she declined the offer. Therefore, the
Commission was kept in doldrums.

WELFARE OF GUJJARS, PAHARIS

Left To Fight Against Each Other Epilogue Analysis “Bulldozer touch”
Special emphasis will be laid on promotion of was the popular identity that coalition

28
welfare of backward communities including
Gujjars and Bakerwals, scheduled castes and
tribes. The Government will strive for the
extension of scheduled tribes status to the
Pahari speaking population of the State.
C M P
Epilogue Analysis Instead of addressing
issues of Gujjars and other Pahari speaking people, the government rather
made them to fight with each other. Ever since the Gujjars were included
in the list of Scheduled Tribes in early 1990s the Pahari speaking people
had been demanding same status but communities continued to live in
peace with each other all along. Last five years saw sharpening of
differences between Gujjars and Paharis from the political level down the
micro-level of their inhabitations. As both communities were kept divided,
Gujjars were given to understand that Paharis want to neutralize their
reservations benefits while Paharis were convinced that Gujjars don't want
their inclusion in ST list. The differences remain and the communities are
at a highest level of discomfort with each other.
government headed by Mufti Mohammad
Sayeed came to be known for in its initial
months. Except for some obvious grouses
from those who lost their illegally constructed
prime properties in urban areas, thousands of
people stopped short of garlanding the
bulldozers when they brought down shops and
other buildings to decongest the cities. After
remarkable progress, this was later abandoned
due to political pressure.
Urban planning was given due attention and
democratically elected civic bodies were
ensured in all towns and smaller townships.
Civic elections held in 2004 saw massive
public participation despite militant threats
and even killing of many contestants.

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TOURISM
Nothing Beyond Popular Destinations Of Kashmir

25
A comprehensive plan for the Most of these projects are still at the stage of land acquisition.
development of environment Work at three Tourist Circuits sanctioned by the Government
friendly tourism in all the three of India is till at snail's pace.
regions of the State will be
prepared bringing the hinterland
districts on the tourist map of the
C M P
State. Special measures will be
taken to facilitate and protect pilgrim related tourism

Epilogue Analysis Efforts were made to bring many

areas under tourism map but all this mainly remained confined
to holding tourism festivals. There is no significant basic
infrastructure to support tourism sector. As was the case in
2002, the tourist concentration still remains at the popular
destinations of Kashmir Valley and no new promising
destination with infrastructural facilities came up during
these years.
Under Prime Minister's Reconstruction Plan, 22 new Tourism The Common Minimum Program also says that special emphasis
Development Authorities were created in 2006 but they were will be laid on pilgrim related tourism. It needs hardly any
manned only a year later. Only eight of them, however, could mention here that pilgrim tourism remained the most
get funds of Rs 20 Crore each to be spent over next five years. controversial area during this period. (See Table)

REGIONAL BALANCE
Efforts Made But Still Long Way to Go

15
Our Government shall make Parameters Kashmir Jammu
sincere efforts to ensure that all
the three regions of the State * Area 15948 sq km 26293 sq km
* No of voters (2002) 28,83,955 30,59,986
–Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh * Assembly seats 46 37
receive an equitable share of * Voters per seat (Average) 49,723 66,521
resources available for * Average Area per seat 346.6 sq km 710.6 sq km
C M P * Lok Sabha seats 3 2
development. It shall set up a * Voters per seat 9,61,318 15,29,993
State Finance Commission with a statutory status for * Area per seat 5,316 sq km 13,146 sq km
this purpose and the effort will be to ensure that the * Cabinet Ministers (till July 07, 2008) 14 5
* Districts 10 10
backlog of development and employment at the regional
* Average Area per Distt 1,594 sq km 2,629 sq km
and district levels is made good within a specified time * Rate of unemployment 29.30 % 69.70 %
frame. * No of employees Over 3 lakh Below 1.2 lakh
* Wage in PHE per laborer Rs 2100 Rs 500
* Power gen. (State Sect) 304 MW 22 MW
Epilogue Analysis The State Finance Commission –to * Road length 7,129 KM 4,571 KM
study development profiles and needs of all regions and * Road density KM/Sq Km 51.7 % 23.1 %
* Tourists per year Below 4 lakh Over 80 lakh
sub-regions –when the government had little less than a * Expenditure on Tourism Over 85 % Below 10 %
year left in the office. The story of regional disparity, * Headquarters of PSUs (12) 12 Nil
however, still remains the same. The only difference this
time is that Kashmir, earlier accused by Jammu and Ladakh of pocketing maximum share, is also crying against alleged
discrimination.

Epilogue Ø
28 ×
August 2008
 I N F O C U S
UNFINISHED AGENDA

ACCOUNTABILITY COMMISSION
to cut the Chairman to size. In May same year Justice Sethi put
High Billed Move Was down his papers accusing the government of interference in
Highest Embarrassment Commission's affairs. Since then the SAC is headless with one
of the members temporarily chairing the proceedings. 93 per

12
The Government shall establish an cent of the total cases decided by the SAC were subsequently
institution or “Ehtisab” for enquiring taken by the 'aggrieved' people to the High Court and the
into complaints received against Chief decisions were got overruled. Since 2004, the SAC also
Minister /Ministers and legislators. received 23 cases against Ministers, Legislators and one
The appointment to this post shall be against the sitting Chief Minister. It is pertinent to mention
made by the Chief Minister in here that Minister –Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed –who saw SAC
C M P
consultation with the Chief Justice of powers cut, later had to resign in January 2008 after a
the State High Court and the Leader of Opposition in the legislators told the Legislative assembly that he paid him
Legislative Assembly. bribes to get a work done in his department.
As already discussed in CMP’s Point 11 (Transparency) Jammu
Epilogue Analysis The highest billed move of coalition and Kashmir was rated by the Transparency International as
government, a one-man anti-corruption ombudsman, the second most corrupt state in India (IT Report 2004-05). This
State Accountability Commission was its biggest
embarrassment ever. Showing its seriousness to have a
powerful anti-Corruption bureau, the Mufti government
pushed legislation in first special session of assembly in
November 2003. This triggered off a sharp debate in the House
as the coalition members threatened the opposition to
unearth their alleged scams through this law while the
opposition members dared government to come forward.
However, a law to provide State Accountability Commission
could not be enacted due to lack of consensus in the House.
The legislation was referred a House Select Committee and it
could become a law only the next year. A close family friend of
then Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Justice (retd) RP
TI, 2008 Report
Sethi took over as SAC chairman in 2004. Hundreds of
gave the state government a cause to move against
complaints started pouring in from far and wide places against
corruption. A law was enacted in 2005 to attach the properties
high and mighty people. Almost every case coming before the
of government officials against whom prima facie cases of
SAC made a way to one particular newspaper and then the SAC
corruption were established. The level of corruption,
doors opened to the media at large. Almost every case before
however, continued to grow in public life. Perhaps the will and
its examination by the Judge, got a 'reputation judgment' in
actions of government did not meet the words and claims. The
the press. In November 2005, entire state was left shocked
war against corruption was all hoax as once again proved by
when a newspaper carried a story against a senior Cabinet
the Transparency International. Vice President of India Dr
Minister quoting observation of the SAC chairman. “The
Mohammad Hameed Ansari released the latest TI report on
Minister is neck deep in corruption”, said the newspaper
June 28 - just 10 days ahead the fall of J&K’s coalition
quoting the SAC papers. A week later, SAC Chairman's lawyer
government. One had expected J&K shunned its infamous tag
son was caught live on camera accepting money for settling
of second most corrupt state. The report paints still grim
same case through his father. In the brief assembly session
picture. Placed among the five states in India with ‘alarming
next month, more than 30 legislators expressed their concern
rate’ of corruption, J&K leaves behind 24 states having
over the day-to-day leakage of SAC working to the media.
‘moderate’ to ‘very high’ level of corruption. The only solace
Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig endorsed this
this time is that J&K is placed at number three in category of
view point.
states with alarming rate of corruption. Not that level of
In February 2006, the government amended the SAC Act and
corruption has declined, the list is arranged in alphabetical
put two more members in the Commission in an apparent bid
order - first two are Assam and Bihar.

Epilogue Ø
29 ×
August 2008
 L A D A K H
TOURISM

Tourism In Leh
Captivating Adventure Destination

Tsewang Rigzin

B
y the end of June this
year the number of Ladakh is increasingly becoming a famous destination on the world tourist map.
visitors was recorded
32,241 against only
Tourism is regarded as a major industry for income generation. Opened for
11,183 by the end of the tourism in 1974 with only 527 numbers of tourists Ladakh registered 50,185
corresponding month last
year. “This is a three times
tourists last year thus recording the highest figure.
increase compared to last
year”, says Sh Nissar Ahmad,
the Assistant Director Tourism
Leh. Ever since Ladakh was
thrown open for tourism the
region remained a destination
mostly for foreign tourists but
in the last few years there has
been a quantum increase in
the number of domestic
tourist also. The number of
domestic tourists visited
Ladakh this year by the end of
June this year has been
recorded 25,426 against only
7,191 by the end of June Last
year. Figures are indeed
encouraging for the
authorities such as the Ladakh
Autonomous Hill Development
Council (LAHDC) and the
D i r e c t o r a t e o f To u r i s m
Kashmir to take steps towards
making efforts to further
promote Ladakh as a unique
and safe tourist destination in
the world. Sh Farooq Ahmad
S h a h , D i r e c t o r To u r i s m
Kashmir said that he had
observed a slight decrease in
the domestic tourist inflow
into Ladakh after the
Amarnath Land transfer

Epilogue Ø
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August 2008

controversy and its subsequent
incidents in Kashmir. “Things are
returning to normal in the valley
tourists visiting Ladakh by road via
Srinagar will be restored” he added.
Promotion of Leh as a destination
L A D A K H
TOURISM
Lots of efforts are under way to further
promote Ladakh as a unique destination
for tourists round the world. The LAHDC
Leh in collaboration with the travel
trades of Leh has set a tradition of
holding press conferences a fortnight or
a month ahead of the Singey Khababs
Epilogue Ø
31 ×
August 2008
Festival (Sindhu Darshan) and the
Ladakh Festival, which take place in
June and in September respectively
every year. Last year press meets were
held in Delhi and Srinagar and it has
been observed that such events proved
to be a very effective way to promote
Spituk Goupa/Namgial Tsaskan
 L A D A K H
TOURISM

YEARWISE TOURIST ARIVAL TO LEH LADAKH made. The film is on the and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)
verge of its completion activists. The RSS and its branches
and is expected to give under the umbrella of Ladakh Phanday
additional boosts to Tsogspa started celebrating a parallel
Ladakh's tourism Sindhu Darshan at Sindhu Ghat since the
industry when change in the name. It is believed that
completed because the introduction of the festival by NDA
copies of the films would government was to propagate BJP's
be sent the various “Hindutva agenda” and the change in
n a t i o n a l a n d the name by UPA government was to de-
international travel saffronise the festival and make it a
trades besides arranging festival projecting the Indus as a symbol
shows in Indian cities of India's unity and communal harmony
during publicity while at the same time promoting
campaigns. Ladakh as a tourist destination. Sh
Ghulam Nabi Azad the then Chief
Cultural and Monastic Minister of Jammu & Kashmir was the
Festival chief guest this year on the occasion of
the festival celebrated by the
government from June 12. Whereas the
Ladakh has kept its
RSS and its braches organized its own
unique ancient traditions
parallel Sindhu Darshan from June 23 in
and customs alive
presence of prominent RRS ideologists
through numerous
such as Dr. Mohan Rao Bhagati, General
celebrations and
Secretary RSS and Prof Prem Kumar
festivals. The 'Monastic
Dhumal, the Chief Minister of Himachal
Festivals', are held in the
besides lots of Sindhi activists. The
major monasteries every
festival is indeed giving a big boost to
year. The centuries old
Source: Department of Tourism Leh historical monasteries
the tourism industry by attracting lots
of domestic tourists as the arrival of
Gonpas and their
Ladakh for the domestic tourisms. domestic tourists in Leh in 1997 was
religious practices and monastic
Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India, on recorded only 3991 whereas in 2007 the
festivals continue to become an
the request of the LAHDC, arranges arrivals of domestic visitors registered
attraction to tourists. Ladakh festival
publicity about tourism potential of Leh 22,007.The figure this year has already
was constituted more than one and a
Ladakh through electronic and print reached 25,426 only by June end.
half decade ago with an aim to extend
media ahead of these events. Efforts
the tourist season in Leh Ladakh,
are being made to organize such press Vision for Tourism expansion
promote Ladakh as a tourist destination
meets and shows in different cities of
and to revive and showcase the
Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu
centuries-old rich cultural heritage of Unlike the other regions of the State,
in the near future. The president of the
Ladakh. The festival starts from LADHC Leh has got a Vision Document
All Ladakh Tour Operator Association
September 1 every year for 15 days. for Ladakh called 'Ladakh Vision-2025',
(ALTOA) Sh P.T. Kunzang says ALTOA has
Sindhu Darshan festival was started by which was formulated in 2005 and was
already requested the concerned
the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) launched in the same year by the Prime
authorities to plan publicity campaigns
in 1997 but when the United Progressive Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh. Under
ahead of the Ladakh Festival 2008
Alliance (UPA) government took over the Tourism sector the vision document
preferably in Gujarat. On the initiative
the name of this festival was changed to envisages “to connect tourists to the
of Dr. M. K. Bhandari, the then deputy
Ladakh Singhey Khabab Festival. The unique topographical advantage and
commissioner Leh a film highlighting
change in the name irked the Sindhis cultural heritage of Ladakh without
the tourism potential of Ladakh is being

Epilogue Ø
32 ×
August 2008

endangering its fragile eco-system,
while at the same time scaling up
tourism to contribute to the economic
and social well being of the people of
this region.” Different strategies such
as improvement of infrastructure ,
building local capacity by setting up a
specialized institute for professional
training in hospitality management and
encourage local arts and crafts
especially through the market for
souvenirs, encouraging community
based tourism by decentralizing tourism
infrastructure to villages and by
avoiding large 5 star chains in Ladakh,
expanding the tourism package by
marketing Ladakh as a tourist
destination separate from J&K and tap
the market for winter tourism, explore
new packages; ancient trade routes,
pilgrimage tourism, eco-tourism etc,
and to preserve Ladakh's pristine beauty
by promoting Ladakh as an eco-
destination, observing aesthetic values
when undertaking new constructions
and discouraging display of religious and
cultural rituals for monetary gain have
been enshrined in the Vision Document
to translate into reality the goals set for
the tourism sector in the Vision.
However the strategies enshrined in the
Vision have not been implemented by
the present Hill Council so far which
might become a political issue in the
coming days.
Accessibility, transport and other
facilities
For the summer months Ladakh is easily
accessible both by air and road. But for
some six months the region is accessible
only by air because both Leh-Srinagar
and Leh-Manali highways get closed on
account of snowfalls during winter
months. Now-a-days there are 22
number of flights a week between and
Leh-Delhi sector. The Indian Airlines,
L A D A K H
TOURISM
Jet Airways and the Air Deccan operate
between Leh and Delhi. Air Deccan
started its operation to Leh last year
resulting to a quantum increase in the
number of domestic tourists to Ladakh.
Travel trades of Leh have requested the
government and private airlines
authorities to increase the frequency of
flights in Leh-Srinagar and Leh-Jammu
circuits as lots of pilgrimage tourists
visiting Amarnath and Vishnu Devi would
want to include Ladakh also in their tour
program if the frequency is increased.
At present there are only two flights
between Jammu and Leh and one
between Srinagar and Leh a week. In the
transport sector, Leh has a good choice
of taxis including the comfortable Tata
Safaris, Scorpios, Innova, Toyota Qualis
etc. According to a record maintained
by the tourist department Leh the
district today has over 8,000 beds
available at a time in about 113 hotels
and 223 Guest Houses besides lots of
u n r e g i s t e r e d o n e s . Va r i o u s
governmental and non governmental
organization have actively engaged in
the promotion of 'homestays' as an
Epilogue Ø
33 ×
August 2008
endeavor to provide eco-friendly
staying solutions in remote and eco-
fragile areas while at the same time
benefiting the rural population also
from tourism. Tourism industry is
sometimes criticized on the ground that
it benefits mostly the people in Leh
town thereby resulting a meager
income follow into villages that actually
attract tourists. The Department of
Tourism also has a provision of providing
loans on subsidy for conversion of
residential houses into small paying
guesthouses but the guideline issued by
the State Government in 1995 for this
scheme includes only a few villages
randomly. Hence all areas open for
tourism don't benefit from this scheme
except those included in the guideline.
Areas still restricted for Tourism
Many areas in Nubra and Changthang
regions in Leh district with high
potentials for tourism are still
restricted. The restriction is imposed
by the Ministry of Home Govt of India on
 L A D A K H
TOURISM

Cultural and Monastic Festivals of Ladakh 2009-14 Autonomous Hill

Development Council Leh
has approached all
concerned ministries on
every occasion requesting
the Govt. of India to lift
the restriction and opne
these areas for tourism.
MLC Sh. P. Namgail told
Epilogue that the Govt. of
Jammu & Kashmir had
also sent a proposal
requesting the Home
Ministry to open these
restricted areas for
Tourism. All councilors
from Nubra and
Changthang submitted a
memorandum to the
Union Minister for
Tourism, Smt Ambika Soni
when she visited Leh last
year to conclude the
Singey Khababs Festival
(Sindhu Darshan). The
ALTOA brought up the
issue before the
Parliamentary Standing
Committee on Tourism
that visited Ladakh in
June this year.

Challenges and problems

The present season for

account of security reasons. Such
restrictions seem to have become
irrelevant in today's digitally developed
era in which images of things and places
can be viewed by using advanced
websites. Areas from Panamik up to
Yarma Gonbo and Hunder up to Turtuk in
Nubra valley and similarly in
Changthang region Lukung to Tsaga via
Chushul, Mahey to Demchok and Anley
Kuyul via Nyuma can be of immense
tourists' interest if the restriction is
lifted. Opening of these areas will
definitely boost the tourism industry
further in Ladakh, making it a most
exciting tourist destination. The Ladakh
tourism industry in
Ladakh is mainly from May
to September. Ladakh is a
good place for winter
tourism also but this has
not yet been fully tapped
except the famous Chaddar trek on
frozen Zanskar River. With the remote
villages getting road connectivity lots of
trekking roads are disappearing.
However Ladakh has a good potential
for exploring new trekking routes.
Issues that need to be immediately

Epilogue Ø
34 ×
August 2008

addressed for the convenience of
visitors are proper and systematic
parking system, public lavatories in the
city (tourists often have to go back to
their hotels and guesthouses due to lack
of public toilets and urinals in the city),
and keeping the city and its
surroundings clean and hygiene – these
issues often become nuisance for
visitors in Leh.
Leh town or the old historical town is
growing in an unplanned and a
haphazard way due to lack of a proper
master plan and consequently all types
of buildings are coming up. If the
present development trend continues
then Leh might become a place which
people may not like to visit anymore.
P.T. Kunzang observes that lack of
proper garbage disposal system is also
becoming a nuisance to the tourists.
Many tourists often complain that
Kashmiris who own antiques and
pashmina shops in Leh annoy them by
touting. “This is irritating. I find them
annoying”, says Lars Lidstrom, a visitor
from Sweden. Lots of tourist visiting
Changthang areas often drive off-road
damaging the pasturelands which take
long time to recover. These
pasturelands are the source of
livelihood for the nomads of
Changthang and the wildlife. Tourism
industry in Ladakh is often affected and
even collapsed whenever disturbances
due to militancy in Kashmir and unrest
on the borders, therefore Ladakh
seriously need to be projected as a
tourist destination separate from
Jammu and Kashmir valleys occur.
Pristine Ladakh
Ladakh, bordering in China in the east
and Baltistan in the west, is often
known as the Little Tibet as it resembles
Tibet in many cultural aspects. Ladakh
L A D A K H
TOURISM
was an independent Kingdom itself until mountain biking, and jeep safaris.
it became a part of Jammu & Kashmir in
1834 after the Maharaja of Jammu
Now
annexed the region with the kingdom of
Jammu. Being the largest region of
Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh covers more
than half the area of the State. Ladakh
Telling
had been an important ancient Silk
Route for Caravans between Central
The J&K
Many tourists often complain
that Kashmiris who own
Stories
antiques and pashmina shops in
Leh annoy them by touting. Epilogue
“This is irritating. I find them because there is more to know
annoying”, says Lars Lidstrom,
a visitor from Sweden. Lots of
tourist visiting Changthang
Contact
areas often drive off-road ABDULLAH NEWS AGENCY
damaging the pasturelands Lal Chowk, Srinagar
which take long time to recover. 9419074859
These pasturelands are the source
of livelihood for the nomads of RAINA NEWS AGENCY
Changthang and the wildlife. Residency Road, Jammu
Asia and Chinese Turkistan before 1947. ABC STATIONERS AND
Central Asian two humped camels, DISTRIBUTORS
which had been left by some Central Leh
Asian traders, are still found on the sand
dunes of Nubra valley. The Land's
unmatchable and rich cultural heritage
CENTRAL NEWS AGENCY
and many schemes, policies, and
New Delhi
distinct traditions such as the Monastic
Festivals, the Ladakh Festival, and
Singey Khababs festival (Sindhu
Darshan) have helped promote Ladakh OXFORD BOOK STORE
as a unique destination for visitors of New Delhi, Mumbai,
different kinds. Ladakh also has a good Calcutta, Bangalore,
potential for adventure tourism are
Chennai & Goa
trekking, mountaineering, river rafting,
Epilogue Ø
35 ×
August 2008