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| `73rd amendment is a fair and useful law' | | Sagar swears by autonomy, Art 370 | | Early Times Report
Srinagar, Oct 16: Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Ali Mohammad Sagar today said the 73rd amendment of the Indian Constitution will not be incorporated in total in the State to prevent dilution of Article 370.
He said we are committed to autonomy of the State, however, Central laws, where ever they are fair and useful; we incorporate them in the State. The statement has evoked sarcasm from various quarters.
Apart from senior politicians like Muzaffar Hussain Baig, even students of political science hold National Conference responsible for diluting the autonomy of the State. According to them National Conference founder Sher-e-Kashmir conceded the demand in 1975 for power. The demand finds a mention in the concluding para of the Indra-Abdullah Accord. It was referred to principles but NC never raised the issue. And by remaining silent for 37 years, they have conceded it though impliedly.
Sagar says NC was in favour of extending fair and useful Central laws. For his information POTA was neither fair nor useful. Even Indian Civil Society has described it draconian. Jammu and Kashmir, for Sagar's information was the first State in India to extend it. In fact, Dr Farooq Abdullah extended it when it was still an ordinance.
Sagar further says NC was serious in its autonomy demand. This is far from reality. History is witness to the fact that NC was always power hungry. In 1996 when NC had 2/3 majority in the State, it chose to pass a resolution instead of a bill for restoration of autonomy. The autonomy document was not even read by the then Central Government. The Omar led Government also talked about autonomy extensively. He formed a one man panel to study Justice Sagheer's recommendations two years ago. The panel comprising Abdul Rahim Rather was supposed to submit its report within a month. But even after two years, the panel is mum which reflect NC's seriousness viz-a-viz the issue.
Sagar must bear in mind that 73rd amendment is a fair and useful legislation and can help democracy flourish in the State if implemented. The NC , in fact, does not want to share power with the elected panchayat members for obvious reasons. If NC boasts of holding panchayat elections, it must show seriousness for their empowerment. |
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