“Different constraints are decisive for different situations, but the most decisive constraint is limited time.” This quote by Gray Becker has come to be seen as a fact in economics. The more extended the introduction of an economic change is, the more ineffective and potentially useless it is. Inducing a change in an economy, irrespective of its scale, needs to be swift as it is all about the timing of it. Economic changes create their own need and if a path to development is to be followed, such changes need to be swiftly induced to make the most of them.
An economist would term a need for change and an opportunity or scope for development as synonymous occurrences. However, while taking on the economic hurdles, the J&K administration seems to be ignorant to such economic counsel as well as to the requirements of the people.
As of late, Kashmir’s economy has been widely discussed in events and seminars, mostly by the Hon’ble Prime Minister and the Lt Governor’s office. Plethora of praises have been showered on the current administration for its efforts to restore the derailing economy of Kashmir and to some extent, some praises are well-justified. The tourism industry has soared this year, bettering the previous tourist statistics by considerable figures. Calls for full-winter tourism are being sounded to ensure a complete year of uninterrupted tourism business. The ever-magnificent Gurez valley is now on the map. People are visiting places across the valley in increased numbers resulting in development of many areas. It is, in all fairness, quite an impressive achievement, but what else?
Apart from the tourist upswing, does the administration have any other section of the economy that has seen any considerable development? Or are there any actual plans to help the economy as a whole? Repeated statements from the administration assure, and only assure, of growth and development. While the consolation speeches may work in stalling the issues and the little sops may be good enough to make short-lived amends, question marks are always going to loom over the economic potential of Jammu and Kashmir being under-achieved. Is the adequacy of infrastructure and the scope for innovation being considered?
Kashmir’s economy is predominantly based on agriculture and its allied activities. Saffron, apples, dry fruits, wood, etcetera are some of the major particulars that translate into economic value for the Kashmiri people. The market for this produce is largely located in states other than J&K. However, the unavailability of proper transport infrastructure has brought the agricultural export industry to a shambles of late. Its alarming downfall can be viewed as a result of lacking administrative initiative to give Kashmir proper connectivity with the rest of the states. It is as if Kashmir is an entirely separate landmass that vehicles take days crossing a 200-km route. Railway connectivity has been promised, yet never achieved for years. Such lack of transportation hasn’t boded well for the economic prospects of the valley. Such infrastructural needs must be looked upon at and fulfilled at the earliest to enable growth of the valley’s export industry.
In addition to this, Kashmir being an international tourist hotspot, the administration must consider innovation in the developing tourism industry as well. While previously ignored places like Gurez valley have been put on the map, major spots such as Bangus Valley, the beautiful region of Kupwara, the Wular lake, etc, have been left in a cold sack which is sitting in a blind spot. Asia’s largest freshwater lake Wular has the potential of being a tourist attraction. The government can establish a water-way transport route via Jhelum River starting from Srinagar leading straight to the Wular Lake. It is potentially a good initiative to extend Srinagar’s tourist appeal towards the north Kashmir regions falling en route to the Wular Lake such as Hajin Town and the rest of the riverbank areas and meadows such as Banyari, Nichyeeri, etc. which can benefit largely from the water transport channel being established. Licences can be issued to literate and educationally well-versed applicants to operate the water ferries or speedboats on the route with some strategic spots to be planned as the stops.
The government is on a path to outsource almost every major project in Kashmir. Stone mining projects, construction projects, et al, are being outsourced and a number of such activities are even being banned for the locals. Stone mining, for instance, has been banned for locals. The government could instead regulate licensing for the profession and complement it as a means of livelihood for a large number of people. Various projects can be tendered to the local bidders to encourage local development instead of creating an outward funnel resembling a strategic economic drain.
There isn’t also enough stress laid on the expansion of MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) on a large scale. The handloom industry is lacking in investment and government aid. The policies of the government to deal with such issues as well as opportunities are visibly not quite compatible and coherent with the needs and demands of the local population and their implementation is often even more delayed.
There is plenty of scope for improvement in other aspects of the economy such as the fruit industry and the state’s exports need immediate attention and a revision of policies as well. The only question mark looming is over the intent of the government to see them as synonymous with development and the implementation of the correct planning within the proper time frame, to oversee a multi-faceted growth rather than temporary industry-specific statistical spikes.

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Towseef Bashir Mir