PDP thanks Sonia, PM for new districts in J

Srinagar, July 7 (UNI) The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the ruling coalition partner in Jammu and Kashmir, today took credit for the state Cabinet's decision to announce the creation of four new districts in the Valley.

''If the Wazir Commission was implemented, Kulgam, Shopain and Ganderbal could never have got the district status. It was only through the efforts of the PDP leadership that these towns were incorporated in the list,'' a PDP spokesman said in a statement.

However, in the next paragraph, the spokesman said it was due to the joint efforts of the PDP and the Congress leadership that both the regions got equal share in the creation of new districts.

The spokesman thanked UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for ensuring creation of equal number of districts in both the regions of the state and thus fulfilling the aspirations of the people.

On behalf of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, he said the PDP expresses gratitude to the Congress High Command and the Central Government for showing great maturity and political sagacity while taking the decision.

The spokesman said responding positively to the party's plea for maintaining regional balance, the Congress and the Centre ensured that equal number of districts were created in both Kashmir and Jammu regions.

At a meeting with Ms Gandhi, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Congress General Secretary Ahmad Patel in Delhi recently, PDP Patron Mufti Mohmmad Sayeed and party President Mehbooba Mufti had forcefully argued that any move to implement the Wazir Commission recommendations without taking into consideration the aspirations of the people from the Kashmir division could prove counter-productive and add to their alienation, he added.

If the recommendations of the Wazir Commission were implemented, the move would not only have created regional imbalances, but fuelled public unrest as well, the spokesman said.

He said the Centre not only agreed with the PDP's suggestion, but also assured to make available adequate funds for new districts.

The spokesman said the regional imbalance in the Wazir Commission was the biggest hurdle impeding its implementation.

He urged the Centre to release the funds so that the process of establishing new districts could take off at the earliest.

The spokesman hailed setting up of the Delimitation Commission, Finance Commission, Police Reforms Commission, cabinet Sub-Committee one human rights and a commission to explore employment avenues.

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