“As had happened at the national level in 1991, prior to economic liberalization, a broader political consensus is emerging in Jammu and Kashmir to put in place a viable economic framework, a robust fiscal management structure and a doable budgetary policy,” J&K Finance Minister, Haseeb Drabu said while replying to the discussion on Demand for Grants of the Finance, Labour & Employment Departments.
Finally it all boils down to economy. As is said, when stomach is empty, even the rainbow looks colourless. A people that is faced with severe economic challenges is always mired in problems that adversely affect its polity and society. The meta theories explaining economics, politics, or society are clear on this aspect of human life. Poverty is a breeding ground for multiple ills. In a place where political uncertainty is spread over many decades, the economic growth is bound to suffer. Our state is a live example of this. J&K’s economy has suffered a lot because our political institutions crumbled under the weight of the contested nature of this region. Consequently it resulted in the debilitation of all other aspects of life. A vicious circle set in motion, that J&K has never been able to break it. There are people who propose that this state needs an overhauling in terms of governance and economic conduct, and then other realms can be taken care of. On the contrary there are opinions that once the turmoil in the political realm is set to rest, economic health can be taken care of. This is an unending debate. Fact of the matter is that if the economy improves it will have a good effect on the people living in this state. Consequently it will nurture better responses in other spheres of life. To this end, it is an urgency of sorts that the state’s economy is set in the right direction, and established on sound foundation. If there is focus on this, and various political forces gather around this purpose, one can hope that there are better times ahead.