Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 19: Former Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president, Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz has said that nothing is going to happen to the Article 370 with the adoption of National Food Security Act in the Jammu and Kashmir State.
Talking to the Excelsior, the former Union Minister and senior Congress leader, without taking name of any NC leader said that some people were trying to create confusion among the masses with the plea that implementation of the National Food Security Act in the State may dilute the Article 370, but is hard fact that the Article 370 acts as a bridge between the J&K State and the Union of India.
“The people of this State should understand that nothing is going to happen to Article 370. It is there always and nobody can change or scrap it. This Article also acts as bridge for application of Central laws to the State of Jammu and Kashmir. So, there is no question of dilution of the Article 370 as being projected by some people just to create confusion among the masses,” Prof Soz maintained.
The former PCC chief reminded such leader that nearly forty (40) Central laws have been extended to the State of Jammu and Kashmir. For instance Central Narcotic Act has been extended to the J&K State and State Assembly adopted it because it was beneficial for the people of this State. It is up to the Government to decide whether any Act or Central law is in the interest of the people of this State or not.
“I must say that National Food Security Act is most revolutionary step as it would provide benefit to the poorer persons of the society. The poor and down trodden members of the society would get rice at the cheapest rate of Rs 3 per kg and wheat for Rs 2 per kg. The benefit of this Act would go up to the most poor and down trodden members of the society. So, its opposition by some people is most unjustified and unfortunate,” Prof Soz added.
Replying to a question, the former Union Minister said that Congress being partner with the NC during previous regime, wanted to implement the NFSA in the J&K State but it could not be implemented due to certain reasons. “Whatever, may be the reasons, we do not want to go into it now. The Congress also struggled for 73rd and 74th amendments but it could not happen. There are always compulsions in the coalition. We welcome the adoption of NFSA by this Govt in the State. It should have been done earlier as it has already been implemented in all other states in the country. The credit for this goes to the UPA-II,” the former PCC chief claimed.
Expressing his apprehensions, Prof Soz said CAPD Minister needs to strengthen public distribution system in the State. He said the existing public distribution system is not effective and efficient at present. There is possibility of massive pilferage of this most cheap ration stuff being provided by the Centre to the State. The PDS in the State is required to be made most affective, responsive and transparent so that benefit of the NFSA reaches to the most deserving people up to the last corner of the State, Prof Soz maintained.
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