J&K: Heads of working groups announced

The five working groups announced by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the second round table conference in Srinagar in the last week of May are likely to be headed by the former chief justice of the Supreme Court, two former diplomats, an economist and a former planning commission secretary.

M H Ansari, a former diplomat and presently heading the National Commission for Minorities, is likely to head the working group which will address the problem of rehabilitation and creation of confidence for those affected by violence.

A M Ahmedi, the former Chief Justice of India has been offered to head the panel which would deliberate on the special status of the state in the Indian Union.

Former Foreign Secretary M K Rasgotra will head another working group which will work for creation of people to people contact across the Line of Control.

The fourth group to be headed by former Reserve Bank of India governor C Rangarajan will identify and create job opportunities in the state, besides balanced regional development.

The fifth group on good governance is likely to be headed by N C Saxena, former planning commission secretary.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad says the announcement of working groups has helped to evolve a credible mechanism to address different issues.

"Aspirations of the people projected by their elected representatives in the round table conference has helped in taking the decision by the prime minister to announce five working groups," Azad told a visiting European Union delegation that called on him in Srinagar on Saturday.

He said the groups will mainly deal with building confidence among the people particularly those who have suffered a lot during the violence adding, the working groups will also work for building confidence among the people across the LOC to improve relations, enhance opportunities of trade, commerce and simplify the procedure of travel across the LOC.

He said working groups will also help to revive the shattered economy of the state and help to create good governance, corruption free administration, transparency in the management of affairs and quality of work.

He said the working group will also look into matters relating to the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.