The Roshni Scam is only one instance pointing out how deep this institutional rot of corruption is in Jammu and Kashmir.  Not a single sector or sphere of life, including the institutions of governance, remain immune to the menace. 1/N https://indianexpress.com/article/india/former-ministers-officers-in-list-of-illegal-land-deal-beneficiaries-in-jk-7063033/

Roshni Act was enacted – and the promise was that the money generated by trading state land with those occupying it would be enough to fund the construction of power infrastructure in J&K whose subsequent proceeds would sustain the state. 2/N

But now it remains a proven fact that the state’s powerful political executive together with its bureaucracy and wealthy elite was only aiming and eying their private interests under the garb of what was visibly a big public interest venture. 3/N

Instead of lighting the homes of the ordinary people they were only interested in bringing sun and moon to shine on their private mansions. N/N

Corruption breeds popular discontent by undermining general economic well-being, which in turn create conditions for conflict. Continued conflict may bring profit for the few, those ‘masters of war’, but it creates economic misery for many.

J&K is a classic example of this self-sustaining system, which holds this place in the deep recesses of the conflict trap.