J&K interlocutors suggest review of central legislation

J&K interlocutors have called for a review of all central Acts and all Articles of the Constitution of India extended to the state after the 1952 Delhi agreement.

The group has, however, ruled out a return to the pre-1953 position and recommended setting up of a constitutional committee to review all Acts and Articles of the Constitution of India extended to Jammu and Kashmir while upholding Article 370.

In their 176-page report, the interlocutors said "the clock cannot be set back" but felt that the 'erosion' of Article 370 over decades needed to be "re-appraised" to give it more powers.

"This does not mean a pure and simple return to the pre-1953 situation. The clock cannot be set back. Instead, the group wants such a review to take into full account the changes that have taken place in the last six decades," the report said.

In the pre-1953 era, the Centre's jurisdiction was limited to defence, external affairs, communication and finance. The 1952 agreement between the Centre and Sheikh Abdullah enabled extension of all the central acts, Articles of Constitution of India, including Supreme Court and hoisting of Indian tri-colour along with the state flag.

Significantly, the state assembly passed a resolution in 2000 demanding among other things rescinding of all central legislation except defence, finance, telecom and external affairs, which was rejected by the Union government.