Coalition govt decides to set time frame for its ‘Agenda’

To submit detailed memo to state Cabinet I Resolves to pursue CBMs with Centre

In a boost to Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s image as a leader delivering on her promises in a time-bound manner, the PDP-BJP government today decided to accelerate the process of implementation of the Agenda of the Alliance by setting a time frame for the issues listed in the document.
Official sources told Kashmir POST that the Agenda of Alliance would have a deadline for implementation all issues listed in the document. The Agenda had formed the basis of the two parties rejoining hands in March this year, when Mehbooba agreed to form the government while insisting that a timeframe for implementation of all important issues be defined in concrete terms.
In a meeting of group of ministers held today in Srinagar under the chairmanship of Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh, it was decided that there would be a time frame for the implementation of the Agenda of Alliance in letter and in spirit.
The meeting was attended by PDP ministers Abdul Rehman Veeri, Hasseb Drabu while the BJP was represented by Forest Minister Lal Singh and Minister for Industries and Commerce Chander Parkash Ganga.
The ministers took stock of the progress of implementation of the Agenda of Alliance and called for establishing a mechanism to ensure the effective implementation of the confidence-building measures (CBMs) in a time-bound manner.
It was also decided that a detailed memorandum would be submitted to the state Cabinet and necessary steps would be taken for pursuing its implementation with the Union Ministries concerned, wherever required.
Sources said Mehbooba had told the Centre that the creation of an atmosphere of trust was a must between the people and the new government. And, the Centre’s unqualified support was a must to build that trust.
The state is insisting on the return of the power projects, currently being run by the National Hydroelectric Projects Corporation (NHPC), vacation of stretches of land not in the operational requirement list of the Army and firm assurances in protecting the interests of the state as well as its constitutional status enshrined in the Article 370 of the Constitution.
Mehbooba needs the support of the Centre to reinforce her credibility and to justify why she opted to realign with the BJP to form the government as numerous reservations had been voiced by several quarters over the alignment, the sources added.
“She wants New Delhi to give meaning to her recall of history that Jammu and Kashmir had acceded to a secular India —- something endorsed by Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah as well – and not just to a party,” a source said. She is awaiting a quick response from the Centre.