State-specific laws hurdle to J&K’s development: Jaitley

“It is extremely obscurationist to deny fundamental democratic rights to those who have been residing here since last 60 to 70 years,” he added, in an apparent reference to refugees from West Pakistan.

Without naming Article 370, the Union minister said, “This state enjoys far more powers than other states but this has not made it prosperous. Its endemic poverty, under development, unemployment continues till date.”

Under Jammu and Kashmir’s state subject laws, no person other than a permanent resident of the state can own land or build a house there. Only wards of permanent residents can get admissions in the state’s professional colleges or jobs in the state government.

Significantly, Jaitley’s views came nearly an hour before the end of the fourth phase of assembly polls Sunday afternoon. While polling is over in the Muslim-dominated Valley, adjoining Chenab Valley region and Poonch district, Kathua, Jammu and Rajouri districts, pre-dominantly inhabited by Hindus, are going to polls in the fifth phase on December 20.

Jaitley accused Pakistan of working towards separating the state from India and added that the BJP will not give any concession to separatists.
“Humanity does not demand that terrorists kill innocent people, harass them. It also does not demand the death of innocent citizens at the hands of security forces during anti-terrorist operations,” he added.

Referring to the issue of regional discrimination, Jaitley said BJP wants equitable progress of Jammu, Ladakh and Kashmir regions. He added that people of Jammu and Ladakh regions feel discriminated at the hands of regional parties in collaboration with Congress. “They are told, ‘you are nationalist so you are expected to suffer’”, he added.

The Union minister said the government would leave no stone unturned to ensure that Kashmir develops in step with the other regions of the state.
Jaitley also said the BJP wants every common Kashmiri to feel secure and enjoy a democratic ambiance. “Prosperous, developed and modernised state of Jammu Kashmir is an ideological article of faith for the BJP,’” he added.

Regional parties and the Congress have failed to address the genuine grievances of the people, Jaitley said and added that the success of BJP’s Mission 44+ was essential to ensure justice to all the three regions of the state. The Congress would not be able to reach a two-digit score during the assembly elections, he said.