Saba Khan
University of Kashmir
Jindal Global University organized a seminar on Economic Development Growth of J&K in University of Kashmir last Sunday where experts across the spectrum spoke on a broad range of issues.
The panellists included Professor Rajeev Malhotra of Jindal School of Government and Public Policy, Professor Kathleen Modrowski of Jindal School of Liberal Arts and Humanities, Professor Sreeram Chaulia and Professor Deepanshu Mohan of Jindal school of Internationals Affairs.
The deliberations focused on the policy inadequacies and failures in the state of Jammu and Kashmir with regard to the problems such as livelihoods, physical infrastructure, socio-economic inequalities, lack of action, delegation; energy crisis, educational paradigms and the flawed development models which have failed to meet the local aspirations of Kashmiri people.
They also said the infrastructure should be improved if the stakeholders mount pressure on these areas.
The participants argued that any form of liberal economics should also follow liberal politics and the later has unfortunately excluded the Kashmir region. “We should also build up the sports in valley.”
Noted Kashmiri industrialist Shakeel Qalandar emphasized on the need to develop the small scale enterprises for resolving the rapidly increase in unemployment problem in Kashmir where almost 40% of the existing labour force is currently employed in the government sector.
He added that focus should be given to the indigenous skill development. “Locals should be encouraged in skill development,” he said.
Dr Maroof Shah, a noted columnist, talked about the “declining intellectual standards in Kashmir and the lack of deep knowledge in all spheres leading to the economic potential of Kashmir.
Professor Rajeev Malhotra said that the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti will do better to focus on the sectors in which Jammu and Kashmir as the state is under performing in areas like primary healthcare access, infant mortality rates levels and income inequalities.
Panellists also felt that economic data collection methods need to be made more rigorous in order to inform better policy-making in the state. The panellists also agreed that trans-border trade in energy and the other goods and services would create a massive economic boom in the Kashmir.
