Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 21: The PDP-BJP Coordination Committee today gave nod to series of measures to implement ‘Agenda of Alliance’ (AoA) as the two Alliance partners unanimously decided to implement all major points of the Agenda in remaining three years of the Government.
The Coordination Committee listed four major areas of concerns for the Government including `Bijli, Sadak, Paani and Ration’ saying these were four basic requirements of the people but it had regularly been observed that the people were suffering on these accounts and have listed this before many Government representatives from time to time.
Sources told the Excelsior that the reconstituted Coordination Committee, which met for the first time under the chairmanship of Deputy Chief Minister and BJP veteran Dr Nirmal Singh decided to take all steps for pushing forward the dialogue process initiated by the Centre Government by appointing Dineshwar Sharma as Special Representative on Jammu and Kashmir.
Thupstan Chhewang, the BJP Lok Sabha member from Ladakh was unable to attend the Coordination Committee meeting while all other eight members were present including Dr Nirmal Singh, chairman, Jugal Kishore Sharma, Lok Sabha member from Jammu-Poonch, Shamsher Singh Manhas, Rajya Sabha member and Dr Narinder Singh, general secretary (all BJP), Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Revenue and Relief Dr Abdul Rehman Veeri, Sartaj Madni, vice president, Dillawar Mir, former Minister and Tarlok Singh Bajwa, former Rajya Sabha member (all PDP).
Sources said the Coordination Committee members were of the view that a major focus was required to be given to the AoA as the coalition would be completing half of its term i.e. 3 years on March 1, 2018 and there was not much progress on it excepting initiation of dialogue with all stakeholders and some other issues.
“It was decided to seek report from the Chief Secretary-headed Sub Committee appointed by the Government on implementation of Administrative Points of the AoA shortly and dedicate next Coordination Committee meeting exclusively on the Agenda after receiving progress report from the CS,” sources said.
Deputy Chief Minister and Coordination Committee chairman, Dr Nirmal Singh told the Excelsior after the CC meeting that there was major focus on the Agenda of Alliance as both the coalition partners wanted to implement all major points in the AoA, which was sacred document for both the ruling parties on which they had formed first ever coalition Government in the State.
“The Coordination Committee has decided to seek comprehensive report from the Chief Secretary-headed Committee to proceed further on the AoA,” Dr Singh said, adding that next meeting of the Panel would be exclusively devoted to implementation of the Agenda.
The State Government has also set up a Group of Minister (GoMs) on implementation of AoA, which is also headed by the Deputy Chief Minister. The GoM hasn’t met for past many months as it was waiting the report of the Chief Secretary led Committee.
The agenda of the BJP-PDP alliance in the State includes creation of conditions to facilitate resolution of all issues of J&K by talking to all stakeholders, maintaining present position on all Constitutional provisions pertaining to J&K, including the special status in the Constitution of India and examining the need for de-notifying ‘disturbed areas’ over revocation of AFSPA.
Besides this, the agenda also included setting up of Delimitation and Transparency Commissions, working out a one-time settlement for refugees from Pakistan occupied Kashmir of 1947, 1965 & 1971, taking measures for sustenance and livelihood of the West Pakistan refugees, extending all benefits accruing to the people living on the LoC and on the International Border, constructing shelters in vulnerable areas on the LoC and the International Border, preventing loss of life and giving ST status to Kollis, Chopans and Paharis.
The agenda also focused on protecting and fostering ethnic and religious diversity by ensuring the return of Kashmiri Pandits with dignity based on their rights as state subjects and reintegrating as well as absorbing them in the Kashmiri milieu.
Two significant points including talks with all stakeholders and one time settlement of PoK refugees have almost been implemented while headway was yet to be made on many other issues.
Sources said the Coordination Committee decided to focus on public issues like ‘Bijli, Sadak, Paani and Ration’ citing that feedback from the people was that these four basic amenities were required to be improved especially in the rural and remote areas.
The PDP-BJP members decided that they should meet before budget session of the Legislature, which was likely to start in first week of January, to devise joint strategy of the Alliance to counter Opposition.
Sources said the CC members decided that they should meet after every one and a half month to ensure more coordination between the Alliance partners and suggest measure to further improve functioning of the Government.
“The Coordination Committee was of the view that there was now need to give push to talks after successful anti-militancy operations,” they said, adding it was decided that the Government would mobilize maximum stakeholders to come forward and hold talks with Centre Government’s Special Representative Dineshwar Sharma.
According to sources, several other significant issues pertaining to working of the Government and coordination between the Alliance partners were also discussed in the meeting.
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