PM suggests five working groups

Srinagar: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday decided to set up working groups to strengthen relations between the Centre and Jammu and Kashmir and also across the Line of Control.

The decision was endorsed by the second roundtable on Jammu and Kashmir in Srinagar.

"I would like to propose that we set up working groups comprising members from amongst those present or those nominated by parties and groups, who could look more closely at the broad issues and problems", Dr Singh said in his closing remarks at the roundtable.

He said the setting up of the working groups would be the best way to move forward and ensure that the views of different segments are incorporated in the process.

The five working groups suggested by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the roundtable conference on Kashmir on wednesday are:

Group I: Confidence-building measures across segments of society in the state which will try and evolve measures to improve the condition of people affected by militancy, schemes to rehabilitate all orphans and widows affected by militancy, issues relating to the relaxation of conditions for persons who have foresworn militancy.

It would also evolve an effective rehabilitation policy, including employment, for Kashmiri Pandit migrants, an approach considering issues relating to return of kashmiri youth from areas controlled by Pakistan and measures to protect and preserve the unique cultural and religious heritage of the state.

Group II: Strengthening relations across the Line of Control which will recommend simplification of procedures to facilitate travel across the Line of Control, increase goods traffic, expand people-to-people contact, including promotion of pilgrimage and group tourism, open up new routes such as

Kargil-Skardu.

Group III: Economic development which will evolve a strategy that ensures balanced economic development and employment generation, balanced regional and sub-regional development within the state.

Group IV: Ensuring good governance which will consider effective measures to increase responsiveness, accountability and transparency of the administration, strengthen local self-government, effectively monitor developmental programmes, institute zero tolerance for human rights violations, strengthen the right to information, provide adequate security to all segments of society, particularly the minority communities.

Group V: Strengthening relations between the state and the Centre which will deliberate on matters relating to the special status of Jammu and Kashmir within the Indian Union, methods of strengthening democracy, secularism and the rule of law in the state.

This group will also deliberate on effective devolution of powers among different regions to meet regional, sub-regional and ethnic aspirations.