Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Oct 10: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today called for speedy implementation of ‘Agenda of Alliance’, which governs first ever PDP-BJP coalition Government in Jammu and Kashmir and asked the State to take help of BJP ruled neighbouring States like Punjab and Haryana, if required, for boosting development works and tourism in the sensitive border State.
This and other directions were conveyed by Modi during half an hour long meeting with Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh at 7 Race Course, New Delhi this afternoon. The Prime Minister reviewed threadbare the working of PDP-BJP Government, which has entered into 10th month now, performance of the BJP Ministers, internal security situation in Jammu and Kashmir and the borders.
He agreed to visit Jammu and Kashmir shortly for inauguration of Baglihar Phase-II. During the visit, he also promised to tour the Kashmir valley.
Dr Singh told the Excelsior from New Delhi after meeting with the Prime Minister that Modi reviewed working of the PDP-BJP coalition Government including performance of the party Ministers and called for speedy implementation of the ‘Agenda of the Alliance’, which was agreed upon between the two parties before entering into an Alliance.
“The Prime Minister called for implementation of the ‘Agenda of Alliance’ and also reviewed its implementation so far. The work done on the ‘Agenda’…the work in progress…the work initiated and the work yet to be taken up. Everything was reviewed threadbare after which he expressed satisfaction over the progress,’’ Dr Singh said, adding that Modi also reviewed overall working of the coalition Government, which has now entered into its 10th month. He had particular discussion on performance of the BJP Ministers in the Government.
Sources said the Prime Minister asked the Deputy Chief Minister that they can take guidance from BJP ruled neighbouring States of Jammu and Kashmir like Punjab and Haryana, if required, in boosting developmental works and tourism in their State. “There is nothing wrong in taking suggestions for development. The BJP Ministers can always approach the neighbouring States and take their guidance,’’ he is reported to have said. It may be mentioned here that the BJP has come to power for the first time in Jammu and Kashmir.
According to sources, the Prime Minister has given his consent to visit Jammu and Kashmir in the near future to inaugurate Baglihar Phase-II in Ramban, which was ready and undertake a visit to the Valley. Dr Singh, who holds the charge of Power Development Department, briefed the Prime Minister that Baglihar Phase-II was ready for commissioning while another significant and strategically important bridge over river Ravi at Basohli in Kathua district, connecting Jammu and Kashmir with Punjab and just close to Himachal Pradesh, will be ready in December this year. He urged the Prime Minister for inauguration of the Basohli bridge in December also.
Sources said the Prime Minister has given his consent to visit Jammu and Kashmir in the near future for inauguration of Baglihar Phase-II. The date for inauguration will be worked out by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and the State Government.
On being briefed by the Deputy Chief Minister on the problems of West Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) refugees, border dwellers and Kashmiri Pandits, the Prime Minister said the Central Government was deeply concerned about their problems and will take measures to address them.
According to sources, the comprehensive package being prepared by the Centre for Jammu and Kashmir might address the issues of West Pakistan and PoK refugees. On Kashmiri Pandits, the Centre was reportedly ready for composite colonies proposal with riders that they might not be exclusively meant for the Pandits. However, the things would be clear when the package and policy for the KPs will be announced.
“As far as relief for the border dwellers was concerned, the Centre was ready to compensate them for the land taken for fencing and mining, insurance for the crops in forward areas, increase compensation for the deaths and injuries due to shelling and firing and construction of concrete bunkers for the people living in the border belt,’’ sources said.
Sources said the internal security situation in Jammu and Kashmir especially in the context of some recent incidents also came up for high level review during meeting between the Prime Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister. Dr Singh briefed Modi on security and law and order situation in the State.
Sources said the Prime Minister has asked the J&K Government to work more vigorously to pursue developmental agenda for all three regions of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. He was said to have told Dr Singh that people of Jammu and Kashmir have provided great opportunity to the BJP to come to power for first time with the PDP and they should come up to their expectations fully.
Major issues in Agenda of Alliance
* To meet the political and economic objectives of the alliance, it is important to create an environment of peace, certainty and stability.
* The Government will be transformed into a ‘smart Government’ which will be pro-active, transparent and accountable.
* It shall be the mission of the Government to be the most ethical State in the country from the present day position of being the most corrupt State.
* The overall economic policy will align the economic structure of Jammu and Kashmir with its own resources, skills and society.
* The Government will ensure genuine autonomy of institutions of probity which include the State Accountability commission, Vigilance Commission, which will be re-designated as transparency commission and an organisation which deals with the Right to Information Act.
* Following the principles of “Insaniyat, Kashmiriyat and Jamhooriyat” of the earlier NDA Government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the State Government will facilitate and help initiate a sustained and meaningful dialogue with all internal stakeholders which include political groups irrespective of their ideological views and predilections.
The dialogue will seek to build a broad based consensus on resolution of all outstanding issues of the State.
* The Government will examine the need for de-notifying disturbed areas which will as a consequence enable the Union Government to take a final view on the continuation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in these areas.
* Article 370: The present position will be maintained on all constitutional provisions including special status.
* Dialogue with Hurriyat Conference: The coalition Government will facilitate sustained dialogue with all stakeholders irrespective of their ideological views.
* All the land other than those given to the security forces on the basis of lease, licenses and acquisition under the provision of the land acquisition act shall be returned to the rightful owners except in a situation where retaining the land is absolutely imperative in view of a specific security requirement.
* The Government will work out a one-time settlement for refugees from Pakistan occupied Kashmir of 1947, 1965 and 1971.
* The Government will take measures for sustenance and livelihood of the West Pakistan refugees.
* It will extend all benefits accruing to the people living on the Line of Control (LoC) to the people living on the International Border.
* It will secure a share in the profits of NHPC emanating from Jammu and Kashmir’s waters to the State Government.
* It will reverse all royalty agreements with NHPC.
* Setting up of Transparency and Delimitation Commissions.
* Development of Jammu as an independent tourist circuit.
* Cleaning and beautification of Jammu Tawi.
* The Government had on April 21 set up a Group of Ministers (GoM) headed by Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh for implementation of the `Agenda of Alliance’. The GoM comprised four more Ministers, two each from the alliance partners, including Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Affairs Minister Abdul Haq Khan and Minister for Finance Dr Haseeb Drabu (both PDP), Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Sukhnandan Kumar and Minister of State for Cooperatives (Independent Charge) and Ladakh Affairs Chering Dorjey (both BJP).
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