(a) whether working groups set up by the Union Government for the solution of Kashmir problem
have submitted their suggestions/recommendations;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the action taken so far by the Government on such suggestions/recommendations; and
(d) the extent to which the Government has been able to solve the various issues related to Kashmir?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS(SHRI SRIPRAKASH JAISWAL)
(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 38 FOR 26.02.2008
REGARDING KASHMIR PROBLEM
(a) to (c): Pursuant to the Second Round Table Conference on Jammu and Kashmir held at
Srinagar on May 24-25, 2006, five Working Groups on Jammu and Kashmir were constituted by the
State Government. Four Working Groups viz.
(i) Working Group-I : confidence Building Measures across the segments of society in the State,
(ii) Working Group-II : Strengthening relations across the Line of Control,
(iii) Working Group-III : Economic Development and
(iv) Working Group-IV : Ensuring Good Governance have given their recommendations.
Working Group-I has made recommendations in respect of an approach on strengthening human
rights protection; relief and rehabilitation measures for widows, orphans and other victims
of militancy and violence; preserving the rich and diverse cultural landscape of the State;
ensuring the rights of all minorities in the State; and facilitating the return of Kashmiri
Pandits to their hearth and homes.
Working Group-II has made recommendations regarding strengthening of people-to-people contacts
across the LoC, promotion of cross LoC trade and commerce and expansion and deepening of such
contacts and exchanges in the spheres of trade, tourism and various other walks of life.
Working Group-III has made recommendations regarding the balanced economic development of the
State.
Working Group-IV has recommended mechanisms for the State Government to bring in greater
efficiency, transparency and accountability into the systems and processes of governance, and
bring the Government closer to the people.
The third Roundtable Conference held at Delhi on April 24, 2007 gave in-principle endorsement
to the recommendations of the four Working Groups.
A Committee under the Chairmanship of Union Home Secretary and comprising representatives of
the Central and State Governments was set up to examine the recommendations of the Working
Groups-I, II and IV to frame specific feasible and implementable proposals. The Committee
has completed its exercises with reference to the recommendations of Working Group-I and II,
while the State Government is already taking action with reference to Working Group-IV. The
recommendations of Working Group-III have been remitted to the Planning Commission who are
taking appropriate action in the matter.
(d): The overall situation in the State of Jammu & Kashmir has shown significant improvement
in the recent years and action to further consolidate the same is being continuously taken.
The exercises of the Round Table Conference on Jammu & Kashmir are expected to give a fillip
to this process.