JAMMU: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday unveiled its much-anticipated poll manifesto for Jammu and Kashmir. The manifesto, known as the Sankalp Patra, was launched by Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his two-day visit to the state. In his address to party members, Shah emphasised the BJP’s long-standing commitment to integrating Jammu and Kashmir with India, recalling the efforts of figures like Pandit Prem Nath Dogra and Syama Prasad Mookerjee. He reiterated the party’s belief that Jammu and Kashmir has always been an integral part of India and will continue to be so. Shah highlighted the progress made under the current government, stating that Article 370 had previously obstructed the implementation of reservations. He noted that the Modi-led government has introduced reservations for various communities, including OBCs, Gurjars, Bakarwals, and Pahadis, who had been deprived for years. “Reservations of the OBC have now been increased. The Gurjars, Bakarwals, and Pahadis were deprived of reservations for years. And today, we started giving reservations to these sections under the Modi government,” Shah said. White paper will be issued to fix responsibility of those involved in emergence of terrorism in J&K, Shah added. BJP’s key promises and plans for Jammu and Kashmir Agriculture Provide ₹10,000 to the farmers of the state under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi. Reduce electricity rates for agricultural activities by 50%. Employment Generate 5 lakh employment opportunities for the youth. Ensure a fair and just recruitment process. Education Under the Pragati Shiksha Yojana, provide college students with a travel allowance of ₹3,000 per year. Add 1,000 new seats in medical colleges to improve the education system. Social Welfare Under the Maa Samman Yojana, the senior-most woman in every household will be given ₹18,000 per year. Ujjwala beneficiaries will receive two free cylinders every year. Through the Atal Housing Scheme, land will be allotted free of cost to landless beneficiaries. Old age, widow, and disability pensions will be increased three times. Infrastructure Complete all important tunnel projects. Construct 10,000 km of new rural roads. Initiate metro services in Jammu and Srinagar. Religious and Cultural Rebuild and renovate Hindu temples and religious places. Healthcare Ayushman Bharat Sehat Yojana will provide an additional ₹2 lakh in healthcare coverage on top of the ₹5 lakh already provided. Rehabilitation Speed up the rehabilitation process for displaced people. Tourism Transform Jammu and Kashmir from a “terrorist hotspot to a tourist spot.” Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections Jammu and Kashmir has 90 assembly constituencies, with 7 seats reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and 9 for Scheduled Tribes (STs). In the previous Assembly elections, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) won 28 seats, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured 25, the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) won 15, and the Congress won 12. Polling in Jammu and Kashmir will be conducted in three phases on September 18, 25, and October 1, the results for which will be declared on October 8. Congress has allied with the National Conference to contest the polls.
