India Applauds Resolve, and Waits

The ASER 2024 report revealed that enrollment in government schools had declined after 2018 and the percentage of students in higher classes who could read a Standard II text had worsened.

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The most contestable claim was that democracy was getting stronger. Since the reduction in the status of J&K to a union territory, democracy has been actually diminished. J&K is a half-democracy with the Lieutenant Governor enjoying vast powers that have been denied to the council of ministers and the elected representatives. The snatching away of statehood (and the unfulfilled promise of restoration after the elections) is a continuing humiliation that rankles the people.

The official unemployment rate of J&K in 2023-24 was 6.1%.

The per capita income remains below the national average.

It is, however, true that the number of tourists is on the increase but that has been rudely interrupted by the terrorist attack.