The National Conference government will be completing its first year in office on 16th October 2025. An appraisal of its performance at this stage is premature but nonetheless important. My effort here is to analyse its (our) performance while keeping the party’s 2024 poll manifesto in mind.
The opposition parties have already delivered their verdict against us. But let’s dispassionately analyse the government’s performance in the very first year.
On the restoration of political and legal status, we have so far failed to persuade the central government to restore even the statehood status, not to talk about special status. But we did pass the resolution to this effect in the very first session of assembly after the elections. We had expected that the central government would respect the popular mandate and restore J&K’s statehood within the very first few months of assembly elections. Also, we couldn’t succeed in the release of prisoners because such powers lie beyond our jurisdiction.
We have promised to take effective efforts for the rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits. Their dignified return is our priority. We were previously successful in bringing some of their youth back through employment incentives, but such efforts are not enough to restore their confidence. The systematic and targeted killing of non-Muslims post abrogation of Article 370 has shaken their confidence.
It is a fact that the law and order situation has improved over the last several years. Except for the unfortunate terror attack on tourists at Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, no major untoward incident has happened in the recent past. A sustainable peace requires people’s support and the leading role of the civilian government.
We had promised a comprehensive job package and a Jammu and Kashmir Youth Employment Generation Act. Our government is speeding up the process of recruitment. But all such attempts have been marred by the reservation policy presently in place, which is unjust to the general category aspirants. A cabinet sub-committee has submitted its report on revamping the reservation policy. It is probably the most pressing issue, which needs immediate redressal.
We have also promised 200 units of free electricity in our manifesto. An announcement for the provision of 200 units of free electricity to AAY families was made by CM Omar Abdullah in March 2025. Recently, the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited has assured of a better power supply in winter months due to massive upgrading of infrastructure in this sector. The last CM of J&K recently alleged that in Delhi “Kejriwal gave free electricity to people, while over here consumers are being charged heavily.” She must be aware that the fiscal conditions of Delhi and J&K are vastly different. Delhi’s tax revenue has been significantly higher than that of Jammu & Kashmir. For example, Delhi’s tax revenue in 2022-23 was approximately `58,750 crore, while J&K’s total own tax revenue was `11,707.28 crore in the same year.
The GST is the largest source of tax revenue for both, but Delhi’s overall revenue is much larger due to its greater economic activity. We are a small economic entity, and fiscal prudence is all the more important. Moreover, one wonders how such an ambitious manifesto could have been formulated under the watchful eye of an experienced Finance Minister, as a head of manifesto committee before elections. It was expected that the promises mentioned in the manifesto would be achievable, given that it was prepared by a person with a sound understanding of the financial prudence of the erstwhile state & present Union Territory.
In the social sector, the UT government has increased widow pensions to 1,250 per month for those under 60, Rs 1,500 for those aged between 60-79 and 2,000 for those aged 80 and above. The marriage assistance has been increased for girls from AAY category from 50,000 to 75,000. Similarly, old age pension has been increased, as in the case of widow pensions. The J&K Road Transport Corporation has announced zero-ticket travel for women, including schoolgirls, with effect from April 2025. Free rations for AAY category have been increased to 10 kg per person with effect from April 1, 2025.
The sectors that need urgent attention are agriculture and horticulture. Due to the closure of the national highway, our fruit growers are facing heavy losses. We don’t have major cold storage facilities available here. The minimum support price for apples must be considered earnestly. The sector contributes approximately 8-10 per cent to Gross State Domestic Product.
We are also committed to ensuring punctuality and quality healthcare in J&K. Digital infrastructure in the hospitals has improved. We hope to make AIMS Awantipura functional as early as possible. All medical colleges are functioning well. There is the need for increasing the number of doctors and paramedical staff in the GMCs. Moreover, there is an immediate need to fill the vacant posts in Health and Medical Education departments to ensure effective service delivery.
Free education for all up to university level is a noble plan. But higher education is not affordable for the poor families. Instead of scholarships, which are helpful, all AAY category and BPL category students should get free education at the college and university level. We have promised to upgrade the South campus of Kashmir University into a full fledged university. I am hopeful to see this announcement in the coming four years.
I would describe first year of NC Government as wait & watch phase. Now it is time to fulfill all the promises that have been made to the people of Jammu & Kashmir.
Dr S Bashir Ahmad Veeri is a serving legislature & columnist from Bijbehara & occasionally contributes on public policy, governance & environment.
