Date:24/04/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/04/24/stories/2003042404641100.htm

National

Govt. will look into proposal: Advani

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI APRIL 23. The Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, today told the Rajya Sabha that the Government would soon look into the proposal for holding a meeting of Chief Ministers to evolve a code of conduct for them.

Referring to the issues concerning Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal raised during the discussion on the working of the Home Ministry in the Rajya Sabha, Mr. Advani said he did not visualise difficulty in convening such a meeting.

Replying to the five-hour discussion in the House, the Deputy Prime Minister dwelt on how the successful conduct of free and fair elections in Jammu and Kashmir had changed the mood of the people, the attitude of the Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf towards India, the progress of the Naga talks and the steps being taken to modernise police force in the country.

Terming the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly election a "turning point", he disclosed that the Government had ignored suggestions from some officials to "direct the results". The results not only raised India's credibility but also helped restore the confidence of the people of the State. An indication, he said, was available by gauging the response to the Prime Minister's recent visit to the State.

On the threat from cross-border terrorism and its promotion by Pakistan, Mr. Advani said he agreed with the assessment by a Pakistani journalist that Gen. Musharraf's `obduracy towards India' had been the main cause of the failure of the Agra summit. India was determined to fight cross-border terrorism on its own without depending on any outside support, he said. New Delhi was willing to resume dialogue provided Islamabad abandoned cross-border terrorism and dismantled terrorist infrastructure.

Turning to insurgency in the Northeast, Mr. Advani said the talks with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isaak-Muivah) was progressing and the one with Bodos had resulted in an tripartite agreement.

Even though the programme was ambitious, the Government was determined to introduce identity cards and work on a national register of citizens. Already, a pilot project had been launched in some States and depending on the results of the experiment, it would be implemented on a permanent basis. In addition, the card would also help the government in checking illegal immigrants in the country.

On the modernisation of the police force, he said the Home Ministry proposed to categorise the States to enable them grants in the ratio of 100 per cent, 75 per cent and 50 per cent, instead of the current 50 per cent formula in force. This would address the problem of either non-utilisation or diversion for funds by some States.