J&K Cabinet accepts 73rd amendment

The ruling National Conference has had to face a snub from the Congress high command over the delay in incorporating the provisions of the 73rd Amendment of the Constitution of the country in the state’s Panchayati Raj Act. The provision has now been accepted.

The reverse came in less than 24-hours after Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde ruled out revocation of AFSPA from Jammu and Kashmir.

Sources said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah who had been summoned to New Delhi early on Monday morning was categorically told by the Congress high command to incorporate the provisions of the 73rd Amendment in the state Act instantly. Omar, who rushed back to Srinagar in the evening, hurriedly called the meeting of state Cabinet where the decision on the issue was taken.

“The Cabinet approved to incorporate the provisions of the 73rd Amendment of the Constitution of India in the state’s Act. The ordinance for the same would be issued in coming days,” a senior Cabinet minister told Deccan Herald.