Development and Kashmir restlessness

Why in news?

The results of April 2017 Kashmir by-polls shows the growing discontent of the youths in Kashmir. Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to the Kashmiri youth to choose tourism over terrorism

What are the developmental status of Kashmir?

• The key development indicators suggests that Jammu and Kashmir fares better than the rest of the country when it comes to most development indicators.
• In comparison to other insurgency-affected states, Jammu and Kashmir appears to be far more developed.
• The human development index (HDI), a summary measure of income, educational attainment, and life expectancy Jammu and Kashmir fares better than the average Indian state.
• The fourth round of the National Family and Health Survey, conducted in 2015-16 (NFHS 2015-16) shows that Jammu and Kashmir fares better on development indicators when compared with all-India averages, or with insurgency-affected states such as Assam, Nagaland, Manipur and Chhattisgarh.
• The share of 0-14-year-old population was slightly higher in Jammu and Kashmir (34%) than all-India (31%).
• While the data suggests that there is no simplistic link between disaffection and development, it would be hasty to dismiss the role of socio-economic factors altogether.

What are the distressing factors among the people?

• Not only does Jammu and Kashmir have more people than the rest of country 0-14 age-group, its youth population (15-34 years) also has a bigger employment problem.
• The lack of quality jobs may be one reason for the frustration of Kashmiri youth.
• Years of armed conflict and the heavily militarized environment has taken an emotional toll on the state’s population.
• The survey conducted in Kashmir found that 45% of adults in the Kashmir valley display major symptoms of mental distress,
• The survey put the prevalence of depression in adults at 41%. In contrast, the National Mental Health Survey of India 2015-16 puts the weighted prevalence of depression at the all-India level in single digits.
• At a time when Jammu and Kashmir was ahead of India in most developmental indicators, its population was suffering from high levels of mental stress and trauma.

What are the steps taken by the government?

• Youths are the important resources of the nation, for the employment opportunity of the youth JKEDI (Jammu Kashmir entrepreneurship development institute) had been formed.
• The Central government of India introduced HIMAYAT scheme which is a training-cum-placement programme for unemployed youth in Jammu and Kashmir and UDAAN which is a Special Industry Initiative partnership between the corporates of India and Ministry of Home Affairs and implemented by National Skill Development Corporation.
• Himayat schemeyouths will be provided short-term training for at least 3 months, in a range of skills for which there is good market demand. At the end of the training, the youth are assured of a job and there is one year post-placement tracking to see how they are faring
• Udaan programme aims to provide skills training and enhance the employability of unemployed youth of J&K. The Scheme covers graduates, post graduates and three year engineering diploma holders respectively.
• Kashmir needs development with a healing touch that creates good jobs and reduces stress levels in the valley.

Source: Live Mint, PIB