A year after the new government took charge in Jammu and Kashmir, the promises of reform and renewal sound hollow. The administration had pledged transparency, efficiency, and people-first governance. On the ground, however, many public servants and citizens still wait for real change.
The crisis is most visible in the health sector. National Health Mission (NHM) employees, who worked through crises and served in remote clinics, have gone unpaid for months. Their commitment stands in sharp contrast to the system’s indifference. Families of doctors, nurses, and paramedics now face financial distress. When those who heal the people are left helpless, the failure is not administrative—it is moral.
The education sector tells a similar story. Teachers remain stuck in far-off postings, separated from families and communities. Transfer lists move slowly, often influenced by favoritism rather than fairness. Classrooms suffer when teachers lose motivation and stability.
The government had promised digital governance, quick transfers, and better service conditions. Yet, bureaucracy continues to slow progress. Red tape, delays, and lack of accountability have turned hope into frustration.
Reform must begin with empathy and urgency. NHM salaries should be released immediately. Transfers should be digitized and time-bound. A single grievance platform must allow employees to raise issues without fear. Performance-based rewards could restore trust in governance.
The people of Jammu and Kashmir gave this government a mandate for change, not maintenance of old habits. A year later, the message is clear: talk less, deliver more. Governance must reach the last worker, the last teacher, and the last health professional.
The first year has tested patience. The next must rebuild faith. Real change starts when promises meet action.
