■■■■■THE BIG DRAMA■■■■■ Congress devises ‘counter plan’; Throws 2500 administrative units noose around NC neck FIRDOUS TAK Jammu, Jan 29: After failing in its first bid to stall the process for creation of new administrative units in J&K, Congress seems to be ready with “another plan” to corner its coalition partner National Conference over the issue. Sources within the coalition circles told Greater Kashmir that the threat, looming over NC-Congress alliance, was far from over as there was hardly any change in the stance of the two parties. The government move to create new administrative units has already snowballed into a major controversy with Congress pressing “for a broader perspective by incorporating public demands” and NC seeking “implementation of Ganaie Commission recommendations in toto”. Though the coalition partners, after reports of possible split, were trying to give an “All-is-Well” impression, the dissent was visible from the tones of Congress legislators, here on Wednesday. Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, who heads the Cabinet Sub-Committee on new administrative units, indirectly lashed at NC for trying to draw political mileage out of the issue. “Earlier there was Wazir Committee Report which was used by the parties to gain political mileage but Congress implemented it at a time when there was no election issue”, he told media persons. He said during the tenure of former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, Congress implemented Wazir Commission report in both regions and in the meantime he (Azad) also realized about creation new sub-divisions and Teshils, so he constituted Biloria committee, which worked for two years but unfortunately the recommendations could not be implemented after fall of PDP-Congress coalition government. “Now in the tenure of Omar Abdullah led government Mushtaq Ganaie committee was constituted, which took more than 4 years to submit the report and when it was tabled in the cabinet, Congress as well NC ministers, found gaps in the recommendations. They want to remove the same so that no area feels deprived” Tara said. If the party sources are to be believed Congress legislators in the state have been asked not to “openly oppose the move as same could be used by NC as being anti-people”. However, they said, the Congress now “wanted to turn the tables on NC by pressing for creation of nearly 2500 administrative units”. “Congress, during the closed door meeting in New Delhi last night, has formulated a counter plan to ensure that it has not to compromise over the issue in the name of coalition dharma”, a Congress legislator said, on the condition of anonymity. He said that despite clear directions from the party high command to support Omar Abdullah-led government, PCC leaders were “unreceptive to the idea of playing a B-team in ruling coalition”. “We have not given up our stand. We have been, from the day one, saying that the representations of the people should be incorporated when a decision over the recommendations of Ganai Commission report is to be taken”, he said adding, “That is what we are committed to even now”. A National Conference legislator, who also preferred not to be named, also expressed doubts over the “intensions of Congress”. “They are now claiming that around 2500 new administrative units shall be created. This is not financially viable. It could be another game-plan”, he observed. Minister for Planning Ajay Sadhotra, however, said that efforts area on to evolve consensus over the issue. “We will see when the report is compiled”, he said on a query about Congress demand for creating 2500 new administrative units. Seemingly knowing about the “Congress plan”, sources said, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has not given up his stand and has “instead adopted wait and watch policy”. Reports indicated that Omar will consider continuing in government only if CSC submits its report before the state cabinet is likely to meet on Saturday. “He (Omar) has kept the options open. This is not only the matter of submitting the report but enabling the government to take a decision”, sources in the government said adding, “The fate of the NC-Cong coalition will depend on the outcome of the cabinet meeting”. State Congress chief Saifuddin Soz on Wednesday again indicated that the party wants the exercise to be carried out keeping in view the “aspirations of the people”. “We are not against creation of new administrative units but we want to ensure justice with all the three regions of the state”, he said adding, “We want the alliance with the National Conference to continue, but this exercise (setting up of new units) should not be rushed through”
Posted on: Thu, 30 Jan 2014 03:37:23 +0000
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