National Conference pitches for regional autonomy in J&K

The National Conference (NC) today advocated for regional autonomy for the three regions of the state - Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh - as it demanded for devolution of powers to elected administrative setups under the overall superintendence of the state government.
"This is imperative to offset the perceived sense of alienation, imbalances and discrimination among different regions and their sub-regions, particularly in view of the serious attempts by divisive political elements during the just concluded elections to sow the seeds of polarisation and create iron cast compartments on the basis of region and religion," NC Provincial President and MLA elect Nagrota Devender Singh Rana said here.

He demanded regional autonomy for Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh as also devolution of powers to elected autonomous regional administrative setups and elected autonomous district councils under the overall superintendence of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, as one entity, to assuage the developmental and political aspirations of the people.
Rana said that panchayats could play a pivotal role in rural development while the elected and empowered district councils and regional autonomous administrative setups, under the overall superintendence of the state, will help achieving optimum developmental objectives of each area.
"The purpose is not to weaken the authority of the state but to encourage a spirit of federalism, with each region getting equal opportunities of progress and equitable development," he said.

He said that the mechanism would go a long way in strengthening the bonds of unity and amity between people of the three regions and maintaining single entity of the state, which is "facing grave threat from divisive forces".
He said the voices of trifurcation were dangerous for overall growth of the state and to foil such sinister attempts financial autonomy of the regions and their sub-regions assumes greater significance.