Currently, no proposal to scrap Article 370, says Centre
What's the story
There is currently no proposal to scrap Article 370 which gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir, Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir informed the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
Ahir was replying to a written question by BJP MP Ashwini Kumar, who asked whether the government was committed to scrapping Article 370 of the Constitution.
Here's more.
Scrapping Article 370
Scrapping Article 370 part of the BJP's political manifesto
Haryana MP Kumar also asked about the present status for scrapping Article 370.
"There is currently no such proposal under consideration of the Government," Ahir said in his one-line reply.
Scrapping Article 370 forms part of the BJP's political manifesto. However, the party, in alliance with the regional PDP, remained silent on the demand in the Agenda of Alliance agreed to in 2015.
Cease-fire violations
Ahir also suggested some measures for J&K's local population
In a separate question on statements made by the Centre's interlocutor Dineshwar Sharma on violence in Jammu and Kashmir, Ahir said Sharma had recently visited border areas in view of recent cease-fire violations and suggested some measures for the local population. These included shifting residents and constructing bunkers.
The question was asked by Congress's Jyotiraditya Scindia and Gaurav Gogoi.
Peace
Government keen to bring peace in Jammu and Kashmir: Ahir
Union Minister Ahir said the government was keen to bring peace in Jammu and Kashmir and was ready to hold dialogue with all sections of the society who shun the path of violence.
The government has also continuously encouraged policies to bring youth to the mainstream. These include providing employment opportunities to wean them away from militancy, he said.