KL Report
Srinagar

Dr Farooq Abdullah speaking to NC Working Committee meeting in Jammu.

Ruling National Conference (NC) wants India and Pakistan to enter into a sustained dialogue and find a permanent solution to the Kashmir imbroglio which is acceptable to all the stake holders and can lead to a lasting peace in the region. It also wants the two countries to streamline the trans-LoC barter and open additional new routes.

NCs working committee that met in Jammu on Saturday under the chair of Dr Farooq Abdullah asserted its resolve for the autonomy of the state and strengthening the bonds with its ally, the Congress. The meeting was called immediately after the ruling coalition bagged all the four legislative council seats in the special elections.

The Working Committee offered a 14-point task list to the government that Omar Abdullah leads. The points are part of the unanimous resolution adopted at the conclusion of the meeting. Apart of the policy, the issues tackle various administrative issues as well. The points are:

1.    that India and Pakistan must enter into a sustained dialogue and find a permanent solution to the Kashmir imbroglio which is acceptable to all the stake holders and can lead to a lasting peace in the region.

2.    that the restoration of the autonomy continues to be the bed rock of the National Conference’s policy and agenda.

3.    that the state must continue its efforts with the Government of India for the revocation of the AFSPA in a phased manner.

4.    that the party appreciates the state government who with the support of the Union Government has been able to bring peace and normalcy in the state which has accelerated the pace of development in the state as also improved the economy thereby increasing the per-capita income.

5.    that the party advised that the state government should impress upon the Government of India to take up with the government of Pakistan the issue of streamlining of trade across the LoC where in barter system should be replaced by the system of cash transfer.

6.    the party appreciates the measures taken by the government to bring accountability, transparency and efficiency in the governance by implementing the Right to Information Act, the reconstitution of the State Accountability Commission, the promulgation of the Public Service Guarantee Act and urged the government to constitute the State Vigilance Commission at the earliest.

7.    that the state government should take up with the Union Government the issue of opening of Jammu-Sialkot road, Nowshera Changer-Mirpur road, Kargil-Skardu road and Mendhar Tattapani road.

8.    that the state government should implement the report on the creation of new administrative units in the state.

9.    that the party appreciates the state government for its accelerated employment initiatives in particular the SKEWPY but urged it to come out with a special recruitment drive to give further boost to employment to the educated unemployed youth of the state.

10.    that the state government should take initiatives to promote tourism infrastructure in the private sector by announcing some fresh incentive packages particularly for the Hoteliers, Shikarawalas and Taxi Operators in view of the increasing tourist traffic.

11.    that the party appreciates the state government for the initiatives taken by it in power generation and improving the power distribution in the state and urged the government to employ locals in the new power projects.

12.    that the party appreciates the state government for implementing the 6th pay commission and paying the arrears to the employees and urged the government to look into their other demands sympathetically.

13.    that the party appreciates the state government for devising a policy for the regularization of daily wagers and urged the government to fast track the process of regularization.

Besides, the Working Committee discussed the Panchayat Raj System threadbare. While appreciating the state government for holding the elections to the Panchayati Raj after three decades, the Committee adopted the following list of requirements that the government must take care of:

1. Strengthening of the J&K Panchayati Raj Act.

2. Provide honorarium and sitting fee to the Panchayati representatives.

3. Adequate transfer of funds to the Panchayati Raj Institutions, commensurate with the functions transferred to them.

4. Constitution of Panchayati Adalats.

5. A comprehensive life insurance policy for the elected representatives as a means of social security.

6. Providing of adequate supporting staff to Halqa panchayats in order to equip them for delivering the functions so devolved in a smooth manner

7. Providing of adequate infrastructure to the Halqa panchayats

8. Establishing of full fledged training institutes at the provincial level for capacity building of the PRI’s in order to provide result oriented trainings to the elected representatives.

A statement issued at the conclusion of the meeting quoted part president Dr Farooq Abdullah urging members to keep the momentum on and gear up for the 2014 parliamentary and assembly elections. He said the party has always stood for the principles of secularism, communal harmony and brotherhood and has always fought against the divisive forces and defeated them in the state and shall continue to do so in future.

Dr Abdullah asked the members to strengthen the party and take the message of the party and the government to every nook and corner of the state. “National Conference – Congress coalition has got strengthened by the recent polls and it should be the endeavour of both the parties to get stronger and the bond should percolate to the grassroot,” Dr Abdullah was quoted saying.

Party’s working president Omar Abdullah while congratulating the winning candidates termed it as the party’s victory and coalition’s victory. He said 2013 should be the year of consolidation and all efforts should be made to take proactive measures which will benefit the party and strengthen the coalition as well and address the aspirations of the people in a focused organized manner in the run-up to the elections. Omar urged the Ministers and the Legislators to extensively tour far flung areas of the state, listen to the grievances of the people and ensure their redressal to their satisfaction.

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