THE DAWN IN J&K

To promote transparency, Government of India got instituted a portal namely the J&K Infrastructure Monitoring System (JKIMS) by which the progress of work on ground is physically monitored on real-time basis.

- R. K. PACHNANDA

The formation of the two new Union Territories of f J&K and Leh and the abrogation of Article 370 five years ago has been the most momentous achievement since Independence. This has been possible only because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has rejuvenated and resurged Indian unity, development and pride of a great India with aplomb.

With the government priority on development for the people, the two newly created Union Territories and the people have witnessed a spate of unhindered development as never before. This is evident by the initiatives of the government accelerating development, building infrastructure, reinforcing governance, generating employment, broadening social inclusion and promoting growth.

Long years of unrest had adversely affected the State's democratic institutions, particularly those at the grassroots level. The absence of elected local bodies not only deprived the people of the power to take their own decisions regarding development and other issues impacting their day-to-day lives, but also adversely impacted the flow of resources from the Central and the State Government to rural and urban local self-governing institutions. This changed immediately after the formation of the UT of J&K. Panchayati Raj institutions were established and made functional and Rs. 366 corers was released directly to 4483 panchayats, which money was always diverted earlier to vested pockets. Work on the 2206 languishing projects was started with speed.