Domicile order for J & K Unacceptable (KVI)

(PR-DC-KVI-LONDON): In a statement issued in London Kashmir Voice International (KVI) stated that the change in the recent domicile order issued by the government of India for J & K state is no solace for the people of Kashmir. Centre has only amended the framework to resume all jobs for J & K domiciles but no change has been made in the criteria laid down defining the domicile.

The criteria laid down in the domicile order is posing a serious threat not only to the employment opportunities for the local population but also is likely lead to disturb the population ratio and demography.
April 1, order defines the domicile criteria as:-

Any person who has resided in J & K for 15 years.
Anyone who studied for 7 years in J & K and appeared in classes 10 and 12 exams in an educational institution located in J & K.

Children of central government officials, officers of PSUs, autonomous bodies, public sector banks, central universities and recognized institutes who have served in J & K for 10 years.

People registered as migrants by Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner. The domicile law remains the same while just the scope of employment has been enhanced for the people including those earning the domicile under this order. Locals and those who earn domicile or who already could be entitled to earn this status based on the criteria laid down in law shall have equal opportunities and entitlement to employment in the state leading to a situation in which people from outside the state could take away substantial share in job market and reduce the same for original state subjects. This will snatch and deprive Kashmiris of the last privileges and rights. All this is done in an autocratic manner without consulting even the mainstream leaders.

It appears government of India is in hurry to implement its agenda in Kashmir. It is most unfortunate that such an important order was issued at a time when the country and the whole world is battling for survival and under the strict lockdown to stop the spread of Coronavirus. This dramatic turn by the government of India leading to the amendment in the domicile order took place because of the opposition of BJP state unit, having strong hold in Jammu region had conveyed to the Government of India that the domicile order would lead to the backlash in the region.

The domicile order based on its criteria is likely to reduce the employment opportunities for local Kashmiris. Their share in administration is already shrunk. All the top jobs in the civil secretariat, police and judiciary are manned by nonlocals even most of the district administration heads are non-Kashmiris. These placements have marginalised local Muslim officers and have affected their participation in the decision making.

All the decisions taken by Delhi government since August last year are intended to integrate the state fully with the union and bury the political issue, but the fact is that the status of the issue continues to be undiluted. These orders although disturbing have strengthened the feeling of being under occupation.

Kashmir’s right of self-determination has been recognised and accepted much before Article 370 came into being. The scrapping of this article may have yielded satisfaction to some people but has not altered the status of Kashmir issue which continues to attract international attention. Unless the issue is addressed and an acceptable solution explored there cannot be lasting peace in the region.