Spotlight

New Delhi, 29 May 2015

Abrogation of Article 370 Passé

New Delhi, 29 May 2015, (INFA): The demand for abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir is firmly passé. It continues to remain only in the BJP’s election manifesto and perhaps till the time the PDP-BJP government in the State is useful to the NDA government. Indications to this effect were reflected in Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s terse response to a question on what was the status on the party’s demand on Article 370 and Ram Mandir. There is a government there and the Ram Mandir issue is sub-judice, is all what he chose to say.     

The number two in the Government, Singh was addressing a press conference here on the completion of one year of the Modi Government. The nation’s internal security to him was akin to ‘a test match’, though a longer version. And there was reason to cheer. ‘Without losing any wicket’, the security of the nation has been kept intact, was his claim. The Home Minister, however, chose to set the ball rolling by showering praise at NDA’s achievements in the past one year under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Modi sarkar has transformed the UPA ten-year rule of “despair and doubt” into that of “hope and confidence,” he stated adding that it was ghar wapsi (home coming) for “good governance”, after years of poor governance and corruption-ridden rule of the Congress. According to him, the three key indicators to good governance were the economic situation, relations with the outside world and the nation’s internal security. Modi, he said had created a new space for India abroad by pro-active diplomacy and had speeded up the economic engine, which he was confident would over a period of time overtake China’s economy.

With regard to his Ministry’s report card on internal security, Singh chose to highlight the strides made in checking incidents in Left-Wing extremism-affected areas, J&K and the North-East. There has been a substantial decline of 22% in number of deaths during 2014 as compared to 2013 in LWE-affected areas as well as the number of extremists surrendered was higher, i.e. 671 in 2014 as against 282 during 2013. Emphasis has been laid on installation of mobile towers (2199 sanctioned), for improving communication in these areas. Further, there has been an upgradation of 25,000-odd constables to head constables.

Likewise, in Jammu & Kashmir, Singh claimed the situation has improved and there is a sense of desperation across the border. As per statistics, there has been a significant decline in infiltration and terrorist-related activities. In 2013, there were 277 attempts of infiltration resulting in 97 actual infiltrations, which were substantially reduced to 222 and 65 respectively in 2014. While he did mention that rehabilitation of the Kashmiri migrants was a top priority with his Government, there was no clear cut date when the proposed ghar wapsi of the displaced Kashmiri Pandits would take place. A “detailed scheme was in the final stages of formulation,” was the message for the time being. However, till then the Centre has chosen to apply the balm by raising the cash relief from Rs 1650 per head per month (maximum Rs 6,600 per family per month) to Rs 2,500 per head and Rs 10,000 per month from 1 May onwards. 

The Home Minister also spoke of the increase in tourist traffic to the country thanks to its policy of e-tourist visa scheme. Extended to 74 countries at 9 airports, Singh said the inflow since November last year was registered at 1,35,000 tourists. This apart, the government has decided to merge the PIO cards (Person of Indian Origin) with OCI (Overseas Citizenship of India) to help Indian settled abroad and Indians married to other country nationals. Other topics touched were safety and security of women and the Ministry’s prompt response to Disaster management.

The Home Ministry also issued a book ‘Saal Ek Shuruat Anek’ (One year, many beginnings) highlighting the roadmap for safe and secure India. In addition, it produced a documentary film to showcase its fight against terrorism, which those interested could view on its website. ---INFA

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