Government may announce panel to look into PDP demands

The Modi government may announce the formation of a committee to suggest measures for a time-bound implementation of the key issues in the Agenda-of-Alliance (AoA), raised by the PDP.

The Modi government may announce the formation of a committee to suggest measures for a time-bound implementation of the key issues in the Agenda-of-Alliance (AoA), raised by the PDP.

The announcement is likely to be made after PDP president Mehbooba Mufti holds a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah.(PTI)

The announcement is likely to be made after PDP president Mehbooba Mufti holds a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah.

“The announcement will send a signal that concerns of the PDP will be addressed and we (the BJP) are committed to implementing things agreed upon in the AoA,” said a senior BJP leader who did not wish to be named.

The key points, which the PDP feels will help in re-gaining lost ground in the Valley, include the return of hydro projects Uri and Salal, a revision of the royalty arrangement with the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), and to begin the process of revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in the state.

“The process to make conducive atmosphere for government formation and address the concerns of the PDP has already been set in and it will be taken to the next stage,” said the leader.

Although the PDP believes that lifting AFSPA will not be easy the committee’s announcement to look into the issue will convey to the people in the valley that it has made the Indian government realise the issue’s urgency.