Six Years After Article 370 Abrogation
Source: PIB
GS II: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate
Overview
- News in Brief
- Six Years After Article 370 Abrogation
- Government focusing on the regions after the Abrogation
- Impact of the Pahalgam terrorist attack
Why in the News?
Six years since the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution and the reorganisation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories (UTs).
News in Brief
- The Supreme Court is likely to hear on 8 August a plea seeking directions to the Centre for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
- Tuesday, 5 August, marks the sixth anniversary of the 2019 abrogation of Article 370, which accorded a special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.
- Politicians and leaders in Jammu and Kashmir have been demanding the restoration of statehood.
- 11 December 2023, the Supreme Court unanimously upheld the revocation of Article 370.
Six Years After Article 370 Abrogation
- A major milestone in the Centre’s post-August 5 roadmap in J&K.
- Before the election, control over police and services was given to the Lieutenant Governor, limiting the authority of the elected dispensation.
What is the argument in favour of Abrogation?
- Centre’s strongest argument for the 2019 decisions was that it would curb terrorism.
- Six years on, the data do show a significant decline in violence.
- Local recruitment has fallen drastically from 129 in 2019 to just 1 this year.
- Incidents of stone throwing, hartals, abductions, and the snatching of weapons are down to zero.
- Cross-border incursions and frequent attacks on security forces over the past three years, now led to far fewer encounters.
Article 370 in the Constitution of India: Temporary provisions with respect to the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
What are the arguments against Abrogation?
- Abrogation of Article 370 caused a serious reduction of the democratically elected government in Jammu and Kashmir.
- The idea of federalism, which forms part of the basic structure of the Constitution of India
- The Pahalgam attack and subsequent security lockdown were a severe blow.
- Jammu and Kashmir requires a strong federal structure to help develop the area and also celebrate its unique culture.
Government focusing on the regions after the Abrogation
- Centre launched a new industrial scheme in 2021, promising incentives to attract investments.
- Proposed investments in J&K now total Rs 1.63 lakh crore.
- More than Rs 50,000 crore is in various stages of operationalisation.
- Production has begun
- Production started in 359 industrial units
- Another 1,424 units are in advanced stages of completion.
- The government says investment realisation in 2024-25 is 10 times more than the pre-2020 period.
- J&K has seen a sharp uptick in tax revenues
- GST collection increased by 12%, excise by 39%, and overall non-tax revenues rose 25% between 2022 and 2024.
- The state’s GDP doubled from Rs 1.17 lakh crore in 2015-16 to Rs 2.45 lakh crore in 2023-24, and hit Rs 2.63 lakh crore in 2024-25.
- In 2023, a record 2.11 crore tourists visited J&K
- Tourism contributed 7% to the GDP.
- The tourism boom was seen as evidence of the post-Article 370 normalcy.
- After 2019, 75 new destinations were opened.
Impact of the Pahalgam terrorist attack
- The Pahalgam attack and subsequent security lockdown of 50 tourist spots were a severe blow.
- The government initiated a comprehensive security review.
- Adventure tourism is now limited to areas with a significant presence of security forces.
- The government sees tourism as a vital economic lever and a tool for youth engagement.
Daily Current Affairs: Click Here