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J&K autonomy reports tabled in state assembly

Mukhtar Ahmad in Srinagar

The Jammu and Kashmir government today tabled the much awaited reports pertaining to overall and inter-regional autonomy for the state's three regions -- Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.

The issue of autonomy has been hanging fire since the National Conference government headed by Dr Farooq Abdullah took office in October 1996. Restoration of autonomy to the state was the party's main electoral plank. The panel ran into rough weather when former Jammu and Kashmir maharaja Dr Karan Singh, who headed the committee, opted out under pressure from Jammu region.

Chief Minister Abdullah tabled the reports on greater autonomy within the Constitution of the country and regional autonomy in the assembly. Presenting the reports amidst thumping of desks, Dr Abdullah sought the members's opinion on the recommendations and hoped a national debate would ensue on the final report on greater autonomy.

The chief minister said the demand for greater autonomy should not be construed as weakening the state's relationship with the rest of the country. In fact, he said, the relationship would be strengthened. "We don’t want to do anything which endangers national integrity," Dr Abdullah said, and hoped that the unity and integrity of the country would be a guiding factor for all those who would give their opinions on the report.

"We want to do everything under the ambit of the Constitution," he said.

The report, he said, would be discussed threadbare by political leaders all over the country, central and state governments and intellectuals.

The state government announced that a three member committee headed by Professor Riyaz Punjabi of the Jawaharlal Nehru University would look into the recommendations. The other two members would be financial and legal experts, the chief minister said. He said the committee members will interact with people in the country.

Dr Abdullah said the report of the regional autonomy panel would be discussed at a specially convened session of the assembly. Describing it a historic step towards fulfilling the aspirations of the people living in the state's three regions, he revealed that some other states have evinced keen interest in the report as it would remove discrepancies and provide equal opportunities of development for all areas.

The report, Dr Abdullah hoped, would be a model for other states to emulate, provide for equitable progress and development and forge unity and further strengthen national integration."It will strengthen India and Indian democracy," he declared, yet again.

The tabling of the report is being read in the state capital along with party MP Professor Saifuddin Soz's statement that continuation of NC support to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition at the Centre was illogical as the BJP stood to oppose a special status for Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370.

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