BJP’s 'Sankalp Patra', blueprint for empowering women, youth in J&K

Maa Samman Yojna to provide Rs 18000 to women; promises 5 lakh jobs, white paper for all terror victims

Vikram Sharma / Sumit Sharma
Jammu: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) recently unveiled its election manifesto for Jammu and Kashmir, named "Sankalp Patr," consisting of 25 key promises aimed at the overall development and prosperity of the region.
The manifesto was released by Home Minister Amit Shah, signifying the party’s confidence in its ability to return to power. With a primary focus on women’s empowerment, youth development, and self-reliance, the BJP manifesto seeks to address several critical issues within the Union Territory (UT).
One of the standout features of the manifesto is the "Maa Samman Yojna," a scheme aimed at providing financial assistance to elderly women, offering Rs 18,000 annually and two free gas cylinders.
This initiative is intended to ease the economic burden on women in Jammu and Kashmir, especially those in financially vulnerable households. By focusing on the female demographic, the BJP hopes to win support from women voters by providing tangible economic relief.
The "Pandit Prem Nath Dogra Rozgar Yojna" promises the creation of 5 lakh jobs, though it lacks specific details on the time frame for delivering these jobs or the target demographics. Nevertheless, the proposal of large-scale employment generation aims to address the pressing issue of unemployment, which has long plagued Jammu and Kashmir’s youth.
To complement this, the "Pragati Shiksha Yojna" offers college students an annual travel allowance of Rs 3,000, encouraging higher education and reducing the financial strain on families.
Another important aspect of the manifesto is the provision of five marlas of land to landless individuals, addressing a longstanding demand from people living in border areas and those below the poverty line. This move aims to secure the support of underprivileged sections of society, promising them land and a more stable future.
One notable issue that the BJP has focused on in its manifesto is the pension scheme for the elderly, widows, and the handicapped. The current pension amount has been stagnant at Rs 1,000 per month, but the BJP pledges to triple this to Rs 3,000.
This significant increase is intended to support those who rely heavily on social welfare schemes, addressing a gap in the UT government's existing policies.
The manifesto also outlines plans to expand healthcare and agricultural support. It promises 1,000 new seats in medical colleges, which would significantly bolster medical education in the region. Additionally, a 50% reduction in power tariffs for agricultural undertakings is proposed, likely to benefit farmers and agricultural workers who form a large part of Jammu and Kashmir's economy.
Religious and cultural preservation is another area of focus, with the BJP pledging to reconstruct 100 Hindu temples under the "Rishi Kashyap Tirath Purnuidhar Abhiyan."
While this might be interpreted by some as part of the BJP’s broader religious agenda, the party has framed it as a cultural restoration project, ensuring that it doesn't echo the controversial narrative surrounding the Ayodhya temple.
The BJP’s "Sankalp Patr" lays out a vision for the holistic development of Jammu and Kashmir, focusing on women, youth, and underprivileged communities while offering initiatives that aim to address critical socio-economic challenges in the region.