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| J&K and Naxal problem cast their shadow over NDC meeting | | | abid shah
EARLY TIMES REPORT
NEW DELHI, July 24: The National Development Council (NDC) meeting held here today brought Chief Ministers from nearly all States and was addressed twice by Prime Minister. Yet, both during the opening remarks as also at the end of it there was no direct mention of Jammu and Kashmir by Manmohan Singh.
And given the situation presented by border State's Chief Minister Omar Abduallh at the meeting, the Centre's approach to J&K can at best find a reflection through Manmohan Singh's remarks regarding States affected by Left wing extremism where Prime Minister called for good and caring governance capable of ensuring development to the benefit of the people.
Though there is a wide gap between Naxal problem and the one that is dogging J&K, the only common discernible thread between them as per the indications given by protagonists who dealt with these at today's meeting is to win over the people so that they shun extremism and extremists.
Omar Abdullah was quite plain in putting before the NDC that Jammu and Kashmir needed a political initiative since it was not a problem of economics alone. He called for pursuing the external dialogue process and initiating internal talks with diverse political opinion in an inclusive manner.
"Economic reconstruction in my opinion is inextricably linked with the political resolution of the grievances and aspirations of a pluralisticabid shah
EARLY TIMES REPORT
NEW DELHI, July 24: The National Development Council (NDC) meeting held here today brought Chief Ministers from nearly all States and was addressed twice by Prime Minister. Yet, both during the opening remarks as also at the end of it there was no direct mention of Jammu and Kashmir by Manmohan Singh.
And given the situation presented by border State's Chief Minister Omar Abduallh at the meeting, the Centre's approach to J&K can at best find a reflection through Manmohan Singh's remarks regarding States affected by Left wing extremism where Prime Minister called for good and caring governance capable of ensuring development to the benefit of the people.
Though there is a wide gap between Naxal problem and the one that is dogging J&K, the only common discernible thread between them as per the indications given by protagonists who dealt with these at today's meeting is to win over the people so that they shun extremism and extremists.
Omar Abdullah was quite plain in putting before the NDC that Jammu and Kashmir needed a political initiative since it was not a problem of economics alone. He called for pursuing the external dialogue process and initiating internal talks with diverse political opinion in an inclusive manner.
"Economic reconstruction in my opinion is inextricably linked with the political resolution of the grievances and aspirations of a pluralistic
society as ours", he remarked while highlighting the importance of time bound implementation of the recommendations of working groups earlier formed at the behest of the Prime Minister to look into specific issues faced by the State. This could provide a viable platform for greater involvement of stakeholders, said the Chief Minister.
Giving details of the progress achieved on the recommendations of the Working Group-I and II for the improvement of the condition of the people affected by militancy and for Trans LoC movement of people and goods, the Chief Minister stressed on banking and communication facilities between PoK and the State.
"We need to further build on the recommendations of the Working Group-III and the Prime Minister's Task Force on economic development of J&K. Similarly, there is positive movement on many of the recommendations of Working Group-IV with regard to e-governance and Right to Information.
"The recommendations made by the Working Group-V with regard to the Centre-State relationship also calls for an informed discussion between the Centre and the State so as to move forward in a time bound manner," he said.
On recent happenings in the valley, the Chief Minister said that the unfortunate events have caused all of us untold pain and agony. "It is the fundamental duty of the Government to protect human lives", he said adding, "While our hearts go out to the families who have lost their near and dear ones, it must be recognised that such incidents are a disturbing demonstration of continued instigation of innocent people by the forces inimical to peace."
Omar said "I am acutely conscious that pursuing an agenda of principled politics and good governance is not an easy task. Yet, the challenges unleashed by politics of disruption and division, must be met through our very determined and collective response; cutting across political ideologies and party positions. As we deal with disruptive elements in a decisive and determined way, we must take every necessary action and special step to build, particularly in young hearts and minds, faith and trust".
He expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister and UPA Chairperson for their unstinted support to the State. "We also thank the Central Government for providing the necessary financial resources for sustaining our plan sizes, the 13th Finance Commission Award of Rs 40,557 crore to address to a large extent, some of our fiscal concerns and the grant-loan combination of Rs 2,300 crore helping us in neutralising our structural liabilities with J&K Bank".
The Chief Minister suggested that in terms of formulation of the Twelfth Five Year Plan that would commence in tow years from now, the most important change should be to move away from output to employment. "We need to target employment growth as a key variable and not as a derived variable. In addition to the sectoral allocations, which have to be made on employment intensity basis, we need direct interventions in sectors that hold high employment potential", he added. He said that agriculture and horticulture were key sectors in the economic development of States like Jammu and Kashmir as such require focused attention in the 12th Five Year Plan.
The Chief Minister said "My State continues to be put to untold hardships and disadvantages on account of the discriminatory provisions contained in the Indus Water Treaty. We have not been compensated for this loss despite the intent to do so; as expressed on several occasions. The Working Group on the Economic Development of J&K constituted by the Prime Minister had, interalia, recommended transfer of Dul Hasti HEP (390 MW) to the State. The recommendation still remains unimplemented. I also deem it necessary to reiterate our request for the enhancement of the quantum of free power (Home State Share) available from the Central Generating Stations set up within the State, to a minimum of 25 percent against the present free power of 12 percent.
Thus, the Chief Minister went on pleading the case of his State that is as good or bad as any of those grappling with the Naxalite problem. The Prime Minister listened although and at the end he said that he had taken not of the points raised by Chief Ministers (again without singling out J&K) and an action taken report (ATR) would be prepared to be presented in the next meeting of the NDC. |
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