The entire nation is celebrating the abrogation of article 370 that bestowed upon citizens of Jammu & Kashmir special status, separate tricolor and constitution. This status was envy to many of us for decades. These privileges to Kashmiris were seen defeating the "One India, One Nation" theory. Jammu & Kashmir was also seen as "Most Pampered State".
Look at data. The state has received 10 per cent of all Central grants given to all states in the last seven decades period, despite having only 1 % of the country’s population.And in contrast, the largest state Uttar Pradesh making up about 13 per cent of the country’s population has received only 8.2 per cent of Central grants. That means J&K, received Rs.91,300 per person over the years as against Rs.4,300 per person received by U.P.
As per Finance Ministry data, Jammu & Kashmir has received Rs.1.14 lakh crore in grants during 2000 to 2016. Its more than a quarter of the Central funds disbursed to other 11 special category states including Himachal in that period. The special category states including J&K get a higher share of central grants, Even among them, Jammu and Kashmir is getting a higher share due to its disturbed status.
Moreover, Service Tax is not levied in Jammu and Kashmir and state does not get a share of the same in the devolution of central taxes to states, which, in turn, means that the centre has had to send it more money to cover up this deficit.
Over and above, plan Grants continued to be given NE and hilly states including Jammu and Kashmir, while other states do not get it after it was stopped by the Twelfth Finance Commission.
As if this was not enough, the state government had been spending crore on providing security cover to secessionist leaders. As many as Rs 506.75 crore were spent on the security cover of 1472 political activists including Kashmiri separatists leaders in a five year period as disclosed in state assembly on April 1, 2015,
The state government at that time also informed the Assembly that o an average an amount of Rs 118.63 crore is spent on security of 1472 political activists in the State.
While in 2011-12, Rs 93.70 crore was spent on security cover of political activists, in 2015 the state government informed that the total expenditure incurred on security of political activists in 2012-13 touched Rs 101.06 crore and it was Rs 107.06 crore in 2013-14.
Despite all this, the state continued to reel under secessionist violence. More than 40,000 people have been killed since 1989. More than 300 people killed in six months this year alone. Its state political leaders undoing that simple people of Kashmir have to bear. And for common man. it doesn't matter whether state is ruled by state leaders or center. They just want to live peacefully to earn their livelihood.