What the Farooq government wants is to put the recommendations of the J&K State Autonomy Committee through a mechanism that ensures speedy scrutiny-perhaps through a ministerial-level committee. The posturing on the autonomy recommendations is being done with the assembly elections, due in September 2002, in view. But between now and the polls, political developments in J&K could impact on the manner in which the proposals are considered.
Though the Centre and the state have varying opinions on autonomy, the precise details vis-a-vis the proposals haven't been spelt out. However, despite this, it is possible to arrive at a general assessment with respect to some of the recommendations.
Advertisement
The most difficult wrangling is likely to be over the following recommendations:
This could be a non-starter.
The Centre would find it impossible to concede a separate chapter on fundamental rights to J&K.
Advertisement
Advertisement
It's another matter that around 250 articles apply to J&K and some of them may not be the most relevant. For example, provisions relating to maritime laws and lighthouses. There are many others. A process of rationalisation is always possible. But feasibility is another matter.