Dilution of Article 370 led to unprecedented era of peace in J&K, Centre informs SC

Source: The post is based on the article “Dilution of Article 370 led to unprecedented era of peace in J&K, Centre informs SC” published in The Hindu on 11th July 2023

What is the News?

The Centre has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court defending the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution.

What is the case before the Supreme Court?

A five judge Constitution bench has been constituted to hear a number of petitions challenging a Presidential Order from 2019 which abrogated Article 370.

Under Article 370, special rights and privileges have been granted to the people of Jammu and Kashmir since 1954 in accordance with the Instrument of Accession.

Subsequently, the Jammu and Kashmir (Reorganization) Act of 2019 came into effect bifurcating the state into the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

What is the Central Government stand on the abrogation of Article 370?

Centre has defended the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution. It has said that this decision has brought “unprecedented stability and progress” to the region. For instance,

– Stone-pelting incidents, which reached as high as 1,767 in 2018, have now ceased completely in 2023.

– The anti-terror actions have led to the dismantling of the terrorist ecosystem, resulting in a significant drop in terrorist recruitment from 199 in 2018 to 12 in 2023.

– There has been a significant increase in tourist visits to the valley after the decision. As of December 2022, 1.88 crore tourists have visited.

– Reservation had been extended to persons residing in areas adjoining the Actual Line of Control, it noted. Seats had been reserved for Scheduled Tribes persons and the Pahari speaking people.

– Duly-elected three-tier panchayati raj system could be established for the first time in the history of Jammu and Kashmir after 2019. 

– Crucial Central laws, including right to free education for children and land acquisition compensation statutes, were now applicable in Jammu and Kashmir.

– The annual budget of Jammu and Kashmir had grown from ₹80,423 crore in 2019-20 to ₹1,18,500 crore in 2023-24.