Re-constituted PDP-BJP CC meets today, to take up host of issues

Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Nov 20: The PDP-BJP Coordination Committee, headed by Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh, which has been re-constituted by both the coalition partners, will meet here tomorrow to take up host of issues including coordination between the Government and expedite implementation of ‘Agenda of Alliance’ (AoA).
Dr Nirmal Singh told the Excelsior that nine-member Coordination Committee would meet at his official residence at 11 am tomorrow.
This is first meeting of the Coordination Committee this year. Earlier, the Coordination Committee meeting had been called in Srinagar on October 28 but due to delay in nomination of new members by the PDP, the meeting was postponed.
The Coordination Committee, headed by Dr Nirmal Singh, comprised Jugal Kishore Sharma, Shamsher Singh Manhas, Thupstan Chhewang, all MPs and Dr Narinder Singh, State general secretary (all BJP), Abdul Rehman Veeri, Revenue Minister, Sartaj Madni, State vice president, Tarlok Singh Bajwa, former Rajya Sabha members and Dillawar Mir, former Minister (all PDP).
Dr Nirmal Singh said the focus of the Coordination Committee would be on further strengthening coordination among the coalition partners including PDP and BJP with a view to give further pace to development works in Jammu and Kashmir.
Sources said that implementation of ‘Agenda of Alliance’, which was reached between PDP and BJP before formation of the coalition Government, will also figure on agenda of the Coordination Committee.
“The AoA points, which have been implemented and which were yet to be taken up would be discussed and a strategy devised to expedite implementation so that they can be fulfilled during remaining period of over three years of the coalition Government,” they added.
Asserting that achievements and shortcomings of the coalition Government would be discussed at the Coordination Committee, sources said the exact timing for holding Panchayat elections in the State would also be discussed.
“The coalition partners were of the view that there was need to give push to development works in the State including the projects being executed by the Central Government, Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP), Centrally Sponsored and State Government Schemes especially in the rural areas.
“The Coordination Committee will work out a strategy on how to expedite developmental works in all Sectors so that the projects are completed well in time,” sources pointed out.
Recently, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs had increased the PMDP from Rs 80,068 crores to over Rs one lakh crores due to escalation in cost of many projects in view of delay in their execution. Similarly, some projects under Centrally Sponsored Schemes and State sector have also jumped deadlines and were facing cost escalations, they said, adding that the focus would be on timely completion of projects to avoid further delay.
According to sources, all members of the Coordination Committee can take up any issue for discussion at the Coordination Committee meeting.
The BJP members were expected to take up the issues pertaining to West Pakistani refugees, PoK, Chhamb and other border migrants, Kashmiri Pandits and issues pertaining to border dwellers on both Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB), who have been facing brunt of Pakistan’s mortar shelling and firing. They could also rake up the issue of alleged discrimination with Jammu region.
“Appointment of retired Intelligence Bureau (IB) Director Dineshwar Sharma as Interlocutor on Jammu and Kashmir by the Centre Government and steps required to move forward the dialogue process to restore peace in the Kashmir valley, will also figure at the Coordination Committee meeting,” sources said, adding the Coordination Committee would review six-day visit of Dineshwar Sharma to Jammu and Kashmir and progress achieved by him in meeting stakeholders.
They added that though it was prerogative of the Interlocutors on how to move forward on dialogue process and whom to talk, the State Government would like maximum people to come forward and join the talks, initiated by the Centre.
Henceforth, they said, it would be endeavour of the Coordination Committee to meet at regular intervals to take up various issues and avoid prolonged delay in the meeting as this was first meeting of the Committee this year. In fact, last year also, the Coordination Committee had met only once.
At the time of formation of the Government, the two coalition partners had decided to form the Coordination Committee to ensure that the two partners enjoyed good relations with each other as this was for the first time that they had formed the Government in the State.

Follow our WhatsApp channel