Last Updated on December 30, 2021 at 1:50 pm
Political criticism
Year 2019 and most of the 2020 created a political vacuum where leaders had little or no privilege of speaking against the government. After dismantling the special status of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019, the BJP led central government had put under house arrest most of the vocal leaders including former Chief Ministers Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti, Farooq Abdullah among several others. However in year 2021 as the hints of upcoming elections dropped in, opposition leaders started their criticism that came as a welcome step in a democracy like India.
Operations against terrorism
Security forces continue its operations against terrorism in Kashmir and successfully eliminated many Pakistani and local terrorists who were trying to usurp the peace in valley. Security forces in over 80 encounters in 2021 were able to kill 145 local and 17 foreign terrorists in J&K. 594 Over Ground Workers (OGWs) were also arrested, out of which 250 were booked under Public Safety Act.
Drone strikes
The year also witnessed a new phenomenon in terrorism where drones were used to released IEDs on vital installations in Jammu. The attack came at the Air Force Station in Jammu where two blast occurred in June 2021 through remote controlled drones and presumably being operated from Pakistan. Police, NIA and other agencies were investigating the matter when drone sightings took place at army installations across Jammu.
Delimitation commission
The Delimitation Commission, headed by Justice (retd) Ranjana Prakash Desai, a panel for redrawing the Assembly constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir. Recently, proposed six additional assembly seats for Jammu region and one for Kashmir. After Prime Narendra Modi conducted meeting with the J&K political leaders on June 24, political activities intensified in J&K. In order to build a democracy in the region and conduct polls, delimitation commission was directed to work quickly and put forward its proposal. The Kashmir division currently has 46 seats and Jammu 37 seats.
Electricity outage
Unscheduled power cuts haunted consumers in a large extent both in Jammu and Kashmir in 2021. Though in this year the power supply was increased but power cuts continued. Due to this many industrialists have suffered losses due to slower work and non completion of the orders on time as well as many students had suffered in their studies.
Employment generation
2021 can be said a year of many opportunities for jobs in various fields. Many meetings regarding employment generation schemes were held and their progress were discussed. Recently, Chairman, Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB), Jahangir Khalid, chaired meeting to consider various issues including selection lists with respect to various posts for different departments, withheld recommendation cases under UT Cadre, Jammu/Kashmir division and district cadre besides cancellation of candidature of candidates. Moreover, 678 Kashmiri migrants have returned to Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 for taking up jobs under the Prime Minister’s Development Package-2015. Many self employment opportunities were encouraged by government. Moreover, the recent investment of real estate will indirectly bring more of the job opportunities for J&K.
MoUs signed with Real estate investors
Around 39 MoUs were recently by the government with major corporate groups and real estate investors. This will enhance the industrial growth for the region to a large extent. Also, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was with the world renowned healthcare company Apollo Hospitals for the establishment of a multi-specialty hospital in Jammu. Many more healthcare projects are lined up to enhance the healthcare sector of J&K.
Tourism
Jammu and Kashmir is one of the major and favourite tourist destinations for the people around the world. J&K administration have taken several measures and steps to boost the tourism sector in this year. Everyone is well aware of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and its outcome. Thus, for the safety of the people and tourists visiting J&K, government focused on maximum vaccination drive and making the stakeholders related to tourism industry vaccinated. This helped majorly for the J&K to attract maximum tourist footfall. In an attempt to boost the tourism, government conducted various campaigns, road shows, iconic festivals like houseboat festival, the Sufi festival and more such initiatives. Also, many recreational activities have been initiated in the snowfall areas. As well as the supportive and friendly people of J&K attracted the tourists. Tourist villages have been developed for promoting rural tourism and showcasing the historical and cultural values. Around 30 picturesque areas in five districts of Jammu have been decided for making into tourist villages. The Directorate of Tourism, Kashmir recently notified rates for various services provide to tourists by registered Tourist traders as well as activities conducted at various tourist destinations across Kashmir.
Film policy 2021
In an attempt to boost the film sector in Jammu and Kashmir, government sanctioned the J&K film policy 2021. The Policy was launched on August 5, 2021 with much fanfare in the presence of Bollywood actor Amir Khan and film-maker Raj Kumar Hirani besides others at SKICC. It aimed at building potential of J&K film servicing industry and attracting filmmakers to shoot here for the films. Indirectly it will also attract major tourist footfall.
Deaths at hospital
After the advent of second wave of Covid in Jammu and Kashmir, oxygen shortage was reported from many hospitals in the UT. While the patients struggled, J&K government also tried to provide relief but the magnanimity of the pandemic was such that the authorities failed miserably. After four people died at ASCOMS hospital in Jammu due to alleged shortage of oxygen in May, Divisional Commissioner ordered an inquiry. However the inquiry findings were never made public due to unknown reasons.
Name changing spree
The government decided to name schools, roads and other infrastructural projects in Jammu and Kashmir after the names of martyrs. Several schools in both – Kashmir and Jammu – divisions were also named after the martyrs. While some of the political leaders in Kashmir had reservations for the move of the government, many also welcomed the step that ensured remembering the army and police martyrs.
