‘The elected govt will have many powers… If you work as per Constitution, there will be no problem’: Jammu and Kashmir L-G

I will talk about the last five years. We have brought peace, prosperity and development to Jammu and Kashmir… I believe, August 5, 2019, played a key part in this journey. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we have met with reasonable success in meeting the aspirations of the common man of fast and inclusive development.

We have also been successful in ensuring equal opportunity to every citizen without any discrimination. All institutions such as school, college, university, hospitals, and businesses — are functioning without any hartal or protests or stone-pelting…Based on work over the last five years, J&K witnessed a record voter turnout of 58.46 per cent. This is the highest in 35 years. For the first time since independence, an international event, the G20 tourism working group meetings, was held in Srinagar. Organising it, India was successful in sending a message to the world. Through Lok Sabha elections, people’s faith in democracy has strengthened, and they believe jamhooriyat is the way forward. People have come out of the slogans of the past. We have also been able to set up a system in undertaking administrative and financial reforms.

Kashmir has remained largely incident-free, Jammu has emerged as the area of concern.

As far as security is concerned, the situation is much better. Yes, in the last year to year-and-a-half, there have been some incidents in Jammu. But we have a strategy in place to tackle this. However, if you look at overall numbers such as killings of civilians, or that of security personnel, there has been a sharp drop. In Kashmir division particularly, almost all top militant commanders have been eliminated by the security forces. Recruitment (of local militants) is also at its lowest levels. The Modi government’s zero tolerance policy is in place.

Our neighbour is unable to digest the peace, progress and development, and also the successful conduct of the Lok Sabha elections. It has its own set of internal problems too. Hence, it is actively trying to disturb the Jammu region in the last 12-18 months…trained militants are being sent. A few regrettable incidents have happened in the last 2-3 months. It is true that due to normalcy over a long period of time, the deployment of Army, police or the CRPF, had reduced in strategic positions. But I don’t think it is because of moving troops from Jammu to Ladakh. Troops were moved because of the prevalence of peace in Jammu. At the highest level, in meetings chaired by the Home Minister, it has been decided to expedite the deployment of additional police, CRPF and Army forces in appropriate positions.

I want to emphasise that it is not just terrorists who have been eliminated. The government’s attack on the terror ecosystem has been remarkable too. We are starting this right away in Jammu.

How worried are you about the situation in Jammu, what are the challenges?

The situation is unfortunate. I am not too worried. I am sure we will tackle it effectively. It is Pakistan’s design too. The biggest challenge is local recruitment. The forces would take care of infiltration. Recruitment, by and large, is zero. This is a big achievement. The Army and Police will tackle it. We have input that some infiltration has occurred. As I said earlier, forces have started taking positions. The strategy is in place, and I am fully confident that a Counter-Terrorism grid would be set up soon. People of Jammu have fought militancy. It has been decided to give automatic weapons to VDC members. The Home Minister is closely monitoring it.

The policy of zero tolerance to terror in Kashmir is the reason for peace and calm?

You must have seen during your stay in Srinagar in the last couple of days that the zero tolerance policy against terror has ensured that there is no violence on the streets. The common man enjoys night life in the city. You will see people and activity in Lal Chowk, Polo View and Jhelum river front. You will be able to see music concerts. This is a big change.

But the zero tolerance policy has also meant a hard clampdown on people.

As I said, we have met with success in bringing about transparency, accountability and establishment of systems over the last five years. And the results are showing now. When I came here, I remember there were only 26 services being offered online to citizens; now 1,140 public services are on online mode. In fact, we are Number 1 in the country in governance ranking among the Union Territory category…We have put all services under the Public Service Guarantee Act under the auto appeal mode. Suppose, you need land records. The Tehsildar is the appropriate authority to issue it. You apply for it online. Under the PSG Act, you should get it in 15 days. If you don’t, it would escalate to the higher authority. The moment it escalates, the Tehsildar is liable for financial penalty and administrative action. In the system, administrative action is difficult. But financial penalties have been imposed on many. This has brought relief to the common man. We have recently launched a grievance portal, JK Samadhan, and a related app.

Where do you see the state economy and finances?

Financial prudence has improved over the years. Every rupee is accounted for. The state’s GSDP has increased from Rs 1,59,000 crore in 2018-19 to Rs 2,45,000 crore in 2023-24. The GST collections have risen from Rs 5,134 crore to Rs 9,700 crore during the period, excise collections from Rs 1,219 crore to Rs 2,400 crore, stamp duty collections from Rs 265 crore to Rs 650 crore.

Overall, expenditure under the PMDP (Prime Minister’s Development Programme) has increased from Rs 21,000 crore to Rs 50,000 crore. About 42,000 government jobs have been filled transparently based on merit during the last four years. About 10,000 more will be recruited in several exams that have been recently conducted.

As far as industry is concerned, since independence, there has been an investment of about Rs 14,000 crore till we announced the new industrial scheme. We announced incentives worth Rs 28,400 crore. We added 46 industries to the existing 64.

Investment to the tune of Rs 7,000 crore has already happened, and production has started. Work in projects worth about Rs 20,000 crore is currently in progress. We have received investment proposals to the tune of Rs 1,25,000 crore, and we are trying to expand our land bank. Tourist influx too has increased more than two-and-a-half times to 2.11 crore last year. We have identified 75 offbeat sites too now.

So, are you all set for Assembly elections? Will it happen by September?

I will answer this question like this. That elections will not happen in India is not possible. Elections have to happen. When the J&K Reorganisation Act was passed in Parliament, the Home Minister had said three specific things: i) First, delimitation. People often express it in political terms. But the fact is elections cannot happen without delimitation. Who would decide the boundary? The J&K government cannot. And it is a long process, requiring stakeholder consultations. The Justice Ranjana Desai-led Delimitation Commission came to J&K thrice. Political parties also met the Commission in Delhi. Finally, the report is in. ii) Assembly elections then. The Election Commission is visiting the UT now. When the Prime Minister was here, he also said elections would happen at the earliest. The Election Commission will decide the dates. There should be no doubt about elections. iii) Statehood at appropriate time.

What about elections to the urban local bodies and panchayats?

We put in place the three-tier system and empowered it in a short time. The District Development Councils and the Block Development Council have a significant role to play in framing the district capex plan. Elections for DDCs were held towards the end of 2020. DDC councillors are in place in all districts in Jammu as well as Kashmir. But the tenure of panch and urban local bodies is over. There was no reservation for OBCs here. After the J&K Reorganisation Act, many OBCs and STs have got reservation. There were many representations about particular seats that needed to be reserved. We had to resolve it. A month before Lok Sabha elections, a retired judge committee was set up to identify the seats that should be reserved. So, immediately after the Assembly elections, polls for panchayats and local bodies would also be held.

A key concern has been the possibility of demographic change, protection of land and jobs for the local people. This is a genuine fear.

I think it is a hypothetical question. I believe it is politically influenced. I am telling you this with full responsibility. The protection that is available to Himalayan states Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, that protection is available to Jammu and Kashmir also. It is there in law. Agricultural land cannot be bought by anyone from outside J&K. Class 3 and Class 4 services cannot be given to anyone from outside. This is the law. Fear has been spread deliberately to mislead people. Except for industry, land has not been given to anyone. If organisations belonging to the Government of India need land for building an office, then it is our dharma to allot them land. It has been given in the past too.

Have individuals also bought land?

Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Rural, we took a decision to give land to 478 landless families so that they can get their homes built. There were protests that this was a conspiracy to alter the demography of J&K. But those given land were people in the 2017 census. I asked people in public meetings if there is a single person from outside who has got land; the reality is that only a person who is in the 2017 census list can be a PMAY beneficiary. I cannot add any person even if I want to…I am saying this with full responsibility that nobody from outside has bought agricultural land. There is full protection of agricultural land, and full protection for jobs.

Lok Sabha elections saw a record voter turnout. How do you view the win of Engineer Rashid? Many people say some slogans raised then by some people were suggestive of separatist sentiments.

I view the election results as an endorsement of the people’s belief in democracy. I wouldn’t want to question the wisdom of voters. But I feel politicians have said what they want to. The public is free to elect whoever they want. But I would like to say that we would not allow radicalisation to take roots again in the Valley.

One of the important feedback mechanisms has been the press in the absence of an elected government. But the local press has been pressured by the administration…For instance, there was no coverage of protests by locals over the water shortage recently in Baramulla district’s Pattan town.

I want to clearly state that I welcome constructive criticism. But we have to keep note of a fine line in Jammu & Kashmir. The country’s security should not be put in jeopardy. Those who are mindful of this red line, they can criticise anything. There is always scope for improvement by the government. I want to tell journalist friends that they are free to criticise, give suggestions, and I would be happy to address it. There has been a water shortage due to inadequate rainfall. The water levels have fallen. The Jal Jeevan Mission work is on. About 20 per cent of people are still not covered by Jal Jeevan Mission. I accept this. Tankers are being deployed to supply water.

Journalist colleagues continue to face problems with the administration questioning them often.

I will emphasise once again that I welcome constructive criticism. Their suggestions are welcome too. If people are having problems getting basic amenities, then they must report.

So far, 74 people have been terminated by the J&K government under Article 311 (2) (c) of the Constitution. In many cases, there are no FIRs and the people do not have an opportunity to present their defence. Isn’t this an overreach by the government?

With all the authority at my command, and full responsibility, this has not happened in even a single case. A full dossier is made on each of these persons. A committee studies this. The law department vets it. Then it comes to me. I can give you the details of any case that you want.

Shouldn’t an opportunity be given to the accused as due process?

There is not a single case, where there is no FIR, where there is no history or solid evidence. Not just one FIR, there may be many FIRs. There may be evidence that the person is talking with someone across the border. There has been a debate when Article 311 was being drafted in Constitution. Sardar Patel has himself said that if there is a threat to the state, and there is irrefutable evidence, then there is no need to give an opportunity to the person. He/ she should be removed.

Many youth applying for jobs with the government and even private sector are being denied service verification…Having ‘liked’ a social media post a decade ago or being related to militant are being seen as reasons to reject verification.

If anyone feels (wronged), they can represent and we will evaluate it. We are open. In two cases, I myself ensured verification was given after representations were found to be genuine. But if someone says I will change my behaviour now, but has a dubious past, then how can we give them the service verification.

Once the elected government is in place, what role do you see for yourself?

The elected government will have many powers. In our constitution, everyone’s roles are defined. If everybody works as per the Constitution, there will be no problem. There are such examples in our country. Not one, but many. If we remain within the confines of the powers provided in the Constitution, then everything will be fine. I will work towards achieving a fine balance with the elected government to achieve peace, prosperity and development. Doesn’t everyone want this? If this is the objective, then where is the possibility of a clash?

If the elected government in the Assembly passes a resolution seeking restoration of Article 370, how will you look at that?

The country’s topmost court — the Supreme Court — has given a decision on this. Now, there is no scope for legal scrutiny. I feel those who take oath in the name of the Constitution, they must remember that going against the law of the land, or going against the decision of the Supreme Court, is not under their purview. What is the legal sanctity of doing something which is not under your authority? It has been decided by the Honourable Supreme Court after having heard every stakeholder. There is no scope after that.