By Iqbal Kirmani
Srinagar: Srinagar is fast moving towards social anarchy and a poor tax base to finance its infrastructure and public services, an official report has said.
According to report Srinagar Metropolitan Region has 68% of the population of non worker.
“It is alarming to note that about 68% of the population in the Local Area is constituted by non-workers (Census of India 2011) which depicts very high rate of unemployment in the region,” reads the report.
By conservative estimates, the Workforce Participation Rate WFPR for a metro city like Srinagar should not have been less 40 – 45% of the total population.
The report while putting its recommendations to cope up with present joblessness but providing jobs to future population.
“Though difficult but this is quite doable for the government provided systems are sufficiently strengthened and institutions mobilised for this challenge in right direction,” the reports reads.
It also highlights the fact that inaction by government will have ramification on the societical setup.
“There is no question of not doing this otherwise city will not only lose its prominence but end up with fractured institutions, increased crime rates and social anarchy,” the reports cautions.
The report says that the WFPR of the Metropolitan Region is not healthy and indicates significant decline for rural areas.
“The careful interpretation of the occupational structure of Srinagar Metropolitan Region (SMR) is viewed as highly skewed with urban and rural economies in the region yet to take-off,” it reads.
By careful estimates, the SMR will need around 5.50 lac additional direct jobs1 over next twenty years maintaining the average family-job ratio at 2.0.
Under BAU scenario, the region will add another 2.75 lac jobs with about 50% jobs in retail business and informal sector.
“Under this scenario, the city will be riddled with poor tax base to finance its infrastructure and public services,” the report comments.
The report says that in order to increase the employability of the area and per capita income above the national average, a structured policy based on a long-term vision is a prerequisite supported by strong institutions and enabling systems.
It proposes diversification of agriculture and allied sectors for increased production and productivity which will lead to retention and increase in green collar jobs.
Report furhter lists skill development and promotion of local crafts, connecting heritage and local crafts with tourism;revival of sick and dysfunctional industrial units ,development of integrated industrial estates, development of agro-based industries as important steps towards stablised situation.
Srinagar Metropolitan Region termed Local Area in the report includes the municipal areas of Srinagar Municipal Corporation and that of Budgam, Ganderbal, Pampore and Khrew ULBs and additional 160 villages as outgrowths in twelve tehsils of Six districts viz; Srinagar, Budgam, Ganderbal, Pulwama, Bandipora and Baramula.
