PM's move on devolution of powers in J

Jammu, May 29 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's decision at the second roundtable meet to form a working group for devolution of powers among regions of Jammu and Kashmir has been hailed as historic by both political parties and the intelligentsia.

Many leaders and intellectuals have described the step as a culmination of the efforts of activists who have been demanding a federal state with powers being devolved to regions.

Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has stated that there could be no solution of the Kashmir issue without accommodating the viewpoints of all the three regions -- Jammu, Kashmir Valley and Ladakh.

''Therefore, we are working towards creating a harmonious state of Jammu and Kashmir where no one feels deprived and neglected,'' he said.

Institute of Jammu and Kashmir Affairs Director and Kashmir expert Padmashri Balraj Puri, who is said to have mooted the idea of regional autonomy six decades ago, said, ''This is the first time that the Indian state has realised the importance of resolving the issue of regional tensions. This factor has been ignored for very long and is responsible for aggravating the Kashmir problem.'' Appreciating the Prime Minister's decision, Dogra Sadar Sabha president and Minister incharge Roads and Buildings Gulchain Singh Charak said no solution of the Kashmir issue was possible without the active participation of people from the Jammu and Ladakh regions.

Ministers from Ladakh have also welcomed the move. Power Minister and Leh MLA Nawang Rigzin Jora said, ''The state with all its diversity requires a federal set up and the Centre's decision is certainly a welcome step.'' The United Gujjar-Bakerwal front leader, Shah Mohammad, described the decision to take into account the regional and ethnic aspirations as historic.''Dr Singh has shown vision by taking into account the ethnic aspirations of the tribal community of Jammu and Kashmir,'' he added.

Pahari Welfare Board Chairman Shabir Khan also welcomed the move and hoped that the Pahari-speaking community of the state would be given benefits.

However, some leaders and representatives from the Jammu region and the Kashmiri Pandit community have expressed dissatisfaction over the outcome of the two-day roundtable conference, held in Srinagar from May 25.

National Panthers Party (NPP) president Prof Bhim Singh said interests of the Jammu region were set aside by the Centre and the Kashmiri leadership at the conclave.

The J&K unit of the BJP charged UPA government with creating a ''mess'' over Kashmir and demanded it make public the concrete proposals sent to Pakistan for resolving the long-pending issues.

The All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference (ASKPC) said the roundtable conference has ignored the nationalistic forces including the people of Jammu and Ladakh regions as well as Kashmiri Pandits.

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