NEW DELHI: Prime Minister P.V Narasimha Roo last work rejected Suggestions that international Observers be allowed to oversee elections in Jammu and Kashmir, saying India did not envisage any role for them.

Rao said the Government was com. mitted to holding elections in the Sun and expressed confidence that as a result of stops being lakon, the overall atmosphere for the democratic process was getting strengthened, thus enhancing the prospects for elections. The Prime Minister said, it would not be possible and, “even desirable to set dates or time-frames at this juncture” for elections.

“The aim of the Government is to further promote conditions that would be conducive to normalization and reactivisation of the political process in Jammu and Kashmir,” Rao said. Narasimha Rao said the situation in the State had improved perceptibly and efforts were being made to accelerate development work by securing people’s participation, reinvigorate the local administration and enhance cooperation and confidence of the people in the administration. “These are being monitored closely.” the Prime Minister said, adding that with a view to proceedings towards the democratic process, the delimitation of constituencies is being done. The work of the revision of voters’ list has been taken up by the Election Commission.

The Prime Minister said there was complete transparency in Kashmir and there have been no resolutions for people visiting the State.

Narasimha Rao asserted that the misuse of Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act would not be allowed and the Government was considering a review of the ACL.

“That (a review of TADA) is being considered. We have got all the options now before us,” Rao said.

To a specific question whether he would amend the law or repeal it, the Prime Minister said all the options “are open to us. But what I started saying is it is still valid. It was considered necessary. It is not a law which has become unnecessary. It has been misused in some cases. That misuse is not on.”

“It (misuse is not acceptable and the hardship that has been caused as a result of that misuse needs to be prevented. These are the parameters,” Rao said, adding “subject to these parameters we will take decisions.” The Prime Minister said the country’s economy is robust, though inflation has to be controlled and reduced further.

Article extracted from this publication >> February 3, 1995