PM to tread softly on autonomy

ON BOARD THE PM'S SPECIAL AIRCRAFT, JUNE 30: Sending a strong signal to voices within his own party, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee o...

ON BOARD THE PM8217;S SPECIAL AIRCRAFT, JUNE 30: Sending a strong signal to voices within his own party, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on Friday said that the autonomy resolution passed by the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly was, indeed, within the framework of the Constitution.

quot;Whatever they are demanding is under the Constitution,quot; he said. quot;The Government will consider it at an appropriate level,quot; he said. In his first public reaction to what is turning out to be a contentious debate, Vajpayee said that Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah had not informed him that he intended to get the resolution passed. However, he made it clear that the passage of the resolution was neither a sign of mistrust between the Centre and the State nor should it be seen as a quot;seriousquot; or disturbing development.

quot;We were not informed about it. I was abroad. But I do not think it will have any serious consequences as is being made out. The country is very strong and flexible too. We can tackle this situation with complete success,quot; Vajpayee told reporters on his way back from a 5-day Europe tour to New Delhi. The BJP and the hardline sections of the Sangh Parivar have attacked the resolution calling it a threat to the country8217;s unity and integrity.

Vajpayee said now that the House had passed the resolution, the Centre would consider it and take a decision within the framework of the Constitution.To a question if the resolution would be considered by Parliament, Vajpayee said it would first be put up before the Cabinet. quot;Then other things will follow,quot; he said.

Incidentally, soon after the resolution was passed, Vajpayee had fielded his principal secretary Brajesh Mishra who had also played down the developments. He had said that there was a growing demand for autonomy from several quarters and the debate should be seen in the quot;correct perspectivequot;. Union Home Minister L K Advani, too, had said that now it was for Parliament to debate the subject.

Asked if autonomy posed a threat to the country8217;s security as a similar demand had already been made in Punjab, Vajpayee said he did not think so. quot;The country was strong enough to withstand any threat,quot; he said. He added that the process on initiating a dialogue with the Hurriyat Conference will continue.

CTBT to be discussed
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on Friday said the issue of Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty CTBT will be discussed during the monsoon session of Parliament next month. quot;We should have discussed CTBT by now. If there is ademand in the next session of Parliament for a discussion on CTBT, it will be held,quot; he told reporters here.