• Says J&K has second-highest unemployment rate, double than national average
• Accuses ruling party of failing to deliver on promises of statehood, employment
Srinagar, Sep 04: Ahead of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, the Indian National Congress (INC) on Wednesday released a charge sheet highlighting what it describes as the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJPs) betrayal of the region’s hopes and aspirations.
Jairam Ramesh, the General Secretary in charge of Communications for the INC, released the document, alleging that the voice of the people in Jammu & Kashmir is being stifled.
“An unelected Lieutenant Governor (LG), appointed by Delhi, holds all authority in the region,” he said, adding that despite repeated promises, the restoration of statehood has been denied to the people of J&K, who continue to be treated as “second-class” citizens.
The charge sheet accuses the BJP of favouring outsiders with land, resources, and jobs while locals struggle with rising prices, high taxes, water shortages, poor electricity supply, and excessive billing through smart meters.
It highlights that J&K has the second-highest unemployment rate in the country, double the national average, with 65% of government posts unfilled since 2019. The private sector has also been adversely affected, with job numbers and domestic industry value lower than in 2019.
The document further criticises the government’s failure to deliver on promises of peace, employment, water and electricity, which have instead been replaced by unemployment, water shortages, power outages, and rising drug addiction.
The charge sheet accuses the BJP of failing to eradicate corruption and terrorism, with resources being looted and terrorism spreading to Jammu. “Promises of job opportunities for local youth have not materialised, with jobs being given to outsiders. The abolition of the biannual Durbar Move has also negatively impacted Jammu,” it states.
According to the charge sheet, government data from March 2024 shows J&K’s youth unemployment rate at 28.2%, the second highest in the country, with young women facing an even higher rate of 48.6%. It said that 65% of government department posts have been vacant since 2019.
According to the document, over 60,000 government daily wagers, who have worked for 15 years earning a meagre Rs 300 per day, remain on contract even in essential departments. Over 12,000 domicile certificates were granted to “outsiders” by 2024, further reducing job opportunities for J&K youth, it adds.
The charge sheet alleges corruption in recruitment processes. It cites irregularities in the hiring for the Fire and Emergency Services Department, with issues surfacing in 2022, and the cancellation of 1,200 sub-inspector positions, 1,300 junior engineer positions, and 1,000 financial account assistant positions in July 2022. “This has negatively impacted 97,793 youth who took the JKSSB exam for these positions,” it states.
Contrary to claims of progress, the document reveals that only 3% of investments under the 2021 New Industrial Policy have materialised, and around 40% of projects under the PM’s Development Package of 2015 remain pending. It mentions that government data shows poor performance in J&K’s industrial sector, with a flat number of factories, a 16% decline in factory employment, and a decrease in net value added.
The charge sheet also addresses issues with electricity supply and billing. J&K has faced severe power crises, with generation falling to 50-100 megawatts against a demand of 1,800 MW in November 2023. “This led to unprecedented power cuts of 12 to 16 hours daily, exacerbating the situation during sub-zero temperatures,” the document states, adding that in Jammu, the Jammu Power Development Corporation Ltd (JPDCL) has announced round-the-clock electricity to smart-metered areas but continues to impose power cuts, leading to excessive billing and public distress.
The Congress said that critical institutions for protecting vulnerable groups, such as the J&K Commission for Protection of Child Rights and the J&K Commission for Women, have not been reconstituted despite a 2022 directive. The National Commission for Women’s J&K cell remains largely inaccessible.
The charge sheet cites a 15% increase in crimes against women in J&K in 2021, with 3,700 reported crimes in 2022, the second highest among UTs after Delhi. The crime rate per lakh women population increased from 64.5 in 2021 to 66.4 in 2022.
The document further mentions that long periods of unrest, isolation and a lack of opportunities have contributed to an increase in mental health issues among the residents of J&K.
Lastly, the document accuses the government of undermining government schools in favour of expensive private institutions, negatively impacting the poor and vulnerable. It also highlights increased mental health issues in Kashmir, with high rates of depression, anxiety, and PTSD, while psychiatric care remains limited.
