Willing To Discuss All Issues Under Constitutional Framework; Ready For Purposeful Dialogue With Pak
Hoping that the separatists will join the ongoing dialogue process, Prime Minister of India Dr Manmohan Singh Friday said the Government of India is willing to discuss all issues that have a bearing on the peace and dignity of the people “under the constitutional framework”.
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Prime Minister of India Dr Manmohan Singh Friday speaking on a accasion in its administered Kashmir
Hoping that the separatists will join the ongoing dialogue process, Prime Minister of India Dr Manmohan Singh Friday said the Government of India is willing to discuss all issues that have a bearing on the peace and dignity of the people “under the constitutional framework”.
“The Centre recognizes the genuine political and emotional grievances of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and is willing to discuss all issues under the constitutional framework”, the Prime Minister said here Friday.
“We will always keep the interest of people of Jammu and Kashmir in our mind. We are willing to discuss all issues that have bearing on peace, dignity and well-being of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he maintained.
“There is no way forward but a sustained dialogue and resolution of all problems under a constitutional framework that I believe has the flexibility to accommodate honourable and durable solutions for all,” Dr Singh said.
Referring to the initiative taken by the Centre in J&K, the Prime Minister said the visit of an all-party delegation to the state in 2010 was intended at bringing about a national consensus on some important problems.
“We recognise that there are genuine political, social and emotional grievances of the people. We are trying honestly to address these issues," he said.
The problems of Jammu and Kashmir are complex and each region of the state - whether it is Kashmir, Jammu or Ladakh- has their own problems which require attention, he said.
The Prime Minister said a group of interlocutors was appointed to facilitate a continuous dialogue with all sections of the people in the state.
Dr Singh, who left back to Delhi after a day long visit this evening, told media persons that the report to be submitted by the team of interlocutors, appointed by him, will facilitate some key decisions, which may be needed for bringing a considerable change on the ground.
Expressing optimism about the participation of the separatist leadership in the talks, the Prime Minister said, “I had two meetings with the leadership of Hurriyat in the past and I sincerely hope that they will find it in everybody’s advantage that they should also be part of the process so as to find solution to the long-standing problem of this beautiful state and I have not given up the hope all together”.
He said the interlocutors were appointed to determine the viewpoint of all shades of opinion in the state. “We thought this time we should have listened to the voice of ordinary people that include even those who are not part of the mainstream political process”, the PM said adding, “This is why the team of interlocutors was constituted and they are on the job. I personally hope that their report will facilitate the kind of activism people are looking for”.
“I am convinced that even the people, who are not part of national mainstream, would find it beneficial and mutually productive that a solution is found to the problem”, he said. “As a part of our efforts to promote balanced development of Jammu and Kashmir, the Centre has set up special Task Forces on Jammu and Ladakh regions,” he said.
While the reports of these task forces are being considered in consultation with the state government, the Centre has already made a budget provision of Rs 250 crore for implementation of the identified projects, he said.
“I am happy that the state government has committed itself to early conduct of Panchayat elections,” Singh said, adding this will deepen the routes of democracy and ensure greater public participation in governance.
“But these bodies can only function effectively if there is adequate provision of funds, function and functionaries. I urge the state government to take early action in this regard,” he said.
‘WANT TO RESOLVE ALL ISSUES WITH PAK’
Prime Minister said that India would enter into talks with Pakistan with an open mind and it wants to resolve all outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, through “dialogue and purposeful” negotiations.
“We wish to resolve all outstanding issues between the two countries through a friendly dialogue and constructive and purposeful negotiations. And this includes the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. We will enter these talks with an open mind,” he said in his address to the third Convocation of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agriculture Science and Technology (SKUAST) of Jammu here.
Singh said, “We are willing to discuss all issues that have a bearing on the peace, dignity and well-being of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”
Voicing his concern about the activities of extremist groups in Pakistan, he asked Pakistan to take “resolute action” against these groups.
“We cannot forget what happened in Mumbai. I urge the Government of Pakistan to leave no stone unturned to bring the culprits (of Mumbai attacks) to book,” he said while referring to the November 2008 terror attack.
“But I believe that there is a growing conviction in Pakistan, among the thinking segments of the population that something serious needs to be done to curb the influence of these groups on Pakistani society and polity”, he said.
“I urge Pakistan to take strong and resolute action against these groups that is in the interest of Pakistan, the region and the world at large”, Dr Singh said.
`ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY IN CVC ISSUE’
"I respect the judgment of the Supreme Court and accept my responsibility," Prime Minister responded to a query, day after the apex court struck down the controversial appointment of PJ Thomas as the central vigilance commissioner (CVC). "It is necessary to ensure that such things do not happen again," Singh said.
The prime minister, who has been targeted by the opposition, also said this issue did not relate to coalition compulsions.
"Well, I think what we see, this is not a question which relates to the compulsions of the coalition. As for the rest, I have already said that I respect the judgement of the Supreme Court," he said.
"Obviously, I think the Supreme Court has pronounced and as a loyal citizen of the country. I accept it. I respect the judgement and I accept my responsibility," he said.
