Sir,
The Centre’s initiative to create and hold direct elections to the district councils is a new experiment. The plan is to divide each district into 14 territorial constituencies and hold direct elections for the councils, which will replace the District Development Boards. The MLAs will be members of this council but their powers will be diluted. If it works it will be grass root level governance.
No doubt there is urgent need to address the Kashmir problem at the domestic and international level. It is a welcome step to start the political process and probably both these initiatives could help achieve that. However, the political parties and the government need to bridge the trust deficit. Holding Assembly elections and processes for the restoration of statehood might also help the process. Delhi has to think it wants to revive democratic process. Some experts feel that unless we go back to the 1996 model the problem will continue. Above all the Government should also resume the dialogue process with Pakistan. The Pakistan issue needs to be addressed urgently as it is linked with bringing back normalcy in Kashmir.
K Shankar
New Delhi
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