DISCRIMINATION: How long will Jammu suffer in silence?

For decades, the people of Jammu have remained the silent contributors to Jammu and Kashmir's economy-paying their taxes on time, settling electricity bills, and adhering to civic responsibilities far more diligently than the other region(s).

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Yet, instead of being rewarded for their law-abiding nature, they seem to be paying the price for it. The discrimination against Jammu in allocation of resources, infrastructure, and institutional development continues unabated, raising a painful question: is this the reward for being responsible citizens?

The irony is that while Jammu forms the fiscal backbone of the Union Territory, it receives crumbs in return. The figures speak for themselves. During 2024-25, Jammu district alone contributed Rs 4,367 crore in GST, making it the single largest contributor to J&K's Goods and Services Tax revenue; Srinagar, the second highest, contributed only Rs 1,497 crore, while Kathua, another Jammu region district, stood third with Rs 303 crore. When it comes to excise revenue, the disparity becomes even starker-Jammu contributed Rs 2,259 crore, compared to just Rs 226 crore from Kashmir.

Yet, when one compares the development indices, healthcare infrastructure, and institutional investments, Jammu appears to be lagging far behind. This contradiction defies both logic and justice. The regions generating the bulk of revenue are left grappling with inadequate hospitals, crumbling civic amenities, poor power supply, and congested infrastructure. It is as if economic contribution is inversely proportional to developmental attention.