Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Aug 29: Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who also holds the charge of Defence Ministry, in New Delhi and briefed them on prevailing security situation in Jammu and Kashmir and other related issues pertaining to the State.
This was Mehbooba’s second meeting with Rajnath Singh this month. She had met Rajnath on August 11 followed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP general secretary, Incharge Jammu and Kashmir, Ram Madhav on August 12 on the issue of Article 35-A, which has been challenged by the RSS-backed NGO in the Supreme Court.
Sources told the Excelsior that situation in Kashmir this summer and roadmap for the winter were high on agenda in Mehbooba-Rajnath meeting that lasted half an hour. Cross-LoC travel and trade, which has been suspended for more than eight weeks now on Poonch-Rawlakote route, also figured.
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In her meeting with the Defence Minister Arun Jaitley, sources said, the Chief Minister reportedly stressed for vacation of Tattoo Ground in Kashmir and Kurbathang in Leh by the Army as the State Government wanted to develop these destinations. Also, they added, the decision would serve as the Confidence Building Measure (CBM).
Mehbooba will tomorrow lay foundation stone of modernization of twin Kashmir Houses at Chankaya Puri and Prithvi Raj Road. The two J&K Houses would get additional rooms, apart from renovation of existing ones.
Sources said Mehbooba is understood to have suggested certain steps that can be taken by the Home and Defence Ministries for further improvement in the situation in the Kashmir valley, which had, of late, started showing signs of improvement. The situation post-NIA and Enforcement Directorate raids in Jammu and Kashmir during which 10 separatist leaders and others have been arrested was also discussed.
Post-raids, sources said, the Chief Minister wanted some kind of engagement with the youth by the Centre.
Sources said since hearing in the Supreme Court on Article 35-A, which defines State Subject Law of Jammu and Kashmir has been deferred till Diwali, it was not much discussed and the Chief Minister is reported to have briefed the Home Minister that the State Government would defend its case in the Apex Court by engaging top lawyers-both from Jammu and Kashmir and New Delhi, if required.
According to sources, Rs 80,000 crores worth Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP), which was reviewed a month ago by Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and his successor Rajiv Gauba, who would take charge on September 1, was discussed in both the meetings Mehbooba had with the Home and Defence Ministers.
The Chief Minister wanted the Centre to give pace to Central projects, which were being executed by the Government of India agencies like National Highways, major roads, power projects etc to boost infrastructure development in Jammu and Kashmir.
In State sector, sources said, the Centre has been regularly releasing funds both under PMDP and other developmental works. The State Government has, however, identified certain projects, which have been identified as “priority works” and need expeditious funding from the Centre.
Sources said the Centre was satisfied with its ‘Operation All Out’ launched against the militants in the Kashmir valley though it was upset with certain major attacks like the one that took place at District Police Lines (DPL) Pulwama recently in which eight CRPF and police personnel were martyred though all three militants were gunned down in the day-long operation.
Sources said the Home Minister and the Chief Minister had threadbare discussion on law and order situation in the Kashmir valley this summer and steps required to keep the street protests to bare minimum.
The Centre was of the view that NIA raids on separatists and others have played crucial role in curbing the protests as terror and hawala funding has virtually been choked.
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