Opinion | Socio-economic changes post abrogation.

Peace and stability enbaled the government more and focused towards socio-economic development.

The post-abrogation period has contributed to peace and stability, enabling unemployed educated youth to open business units that provide employment. Consequently, this has facilitated access to education, childcare, food, medical care, housing, and youth engagement.

Post the abrogation of Article 370, have witnessed many, most important change was improvement in socio-economic sector in Kashmir. Social sector involves all humans in one or the other way, rish and poor. During the hundred-day hartal in Kashmir, we observed how common people were reduced to beggars due to the crisis in the social sector. This sector was worst hit by violence, and poor people suffered in numerous ways. Daily bread was not secured by the poor in Kashmir. These hartals severely affected daily business and the economy of the people.

Abrogation seen historical chnages and is still a hot topic and a point of contention among various stakeholders at different levels. It has benefited many in socio-political spheres, allowing them to take advantage in various ways. Over these five years, we have seen significant changes in Jammu and Kashmir, the most evident being a Kashmir without strikes and violence. Post-abrogation has also seen a reduction in militant activities and civilian killings. However, recent years have witnessed a tragic increase in targeted killings of civilians and a rise in militant activities.

Besides other new initiatives and schemes, post-abrogation has also brought peace and stability. Socio-economic changes, local engagement, entrepreneurship, a boost in local border tourism, the impact of UT schemes and initiatives, the involvement of locals in infrastructure, and the evaluation of statistics before and after abrogation all contribute to understanding the overall impact of abrogation in J&K, including the demand for revocation. As a result of stability the government got conducive environment to focus towards economic growth and initiated lunching of more and more programs and policies including the flagship programs which led to more and more socio-economic growth leading to prosperity of the common masses.

The pre-abrogation period of Article 370 witnessed the worst crises, with social and economic devastation across Jammu and Kashmir. Months of strikes, violence, and turmoil led to a degraded and stagnant socio-economic life. We observed a significant downfall in the economy and a disruption in the social fabric of society. Society encompasses every sector and caters to every need, but without peace, it cannot grow.

Our social sectors have drastically changed and improved post-abrogation. From schools to shopkeepers, small-scale industries, barbers, and newly opened outlets, Kashmir has witnessed remarkable growth in start-ups, fostering a new culture and engaging the youth in showcasing their diverse talents. Not solely, but the Indian Army has played a significant role in revitalizing the social sector by implementing people-oriented policies and schemes.

There are various schemes that the UT government and the Indian Army have introduced in Kashmir for the first time. These new schemes include Mission Youth, youth clubs, and loan facilities for various programs with full subsidies. An important plan for the isolated youth was to engage them in different schemes. These implementations have helped reduce militancy, violence, and turmoil.
Stability in the social sector leads to economic growth. The progress in social sectors contributes to an increase in per-capita income. The post-abrogation period has contributed to peace and stability, enabling unemployed educated youth to open business units that provide employment. Consequently, this has facilitated access to education, childcare, food, medical care, housing, and youth engagement.

Hence, for the Kashmiri people, abrogation brought about change in every sphere and boosted the economy. It kept the social sector running and functional while keeping people engaged. Engagement leads to social improvement, and social improvement fosters economic improvement, ultimately resulting in economic development. Both the social and economic sectors are correlated and contribute to the nation’s development hand in hand.
vadaiekashmir@gamail.com