Excelsior correspondent
Srinagar, December 22: While urging the Government of India to respect the “aspirations of the people”, the Group of Concerned Citizens (GCC) J&K today expressed concern over the delay in restoring statehood to J&K.
In a statement issued here, the GCC warned of the negative “consequences” of “dual control” on the quality of governance in J&K.
“The system of double checks is a recipe for disjointed governance,” it said.
The GCC said the people of J&K have suffered “undeservedly” from the absence of representative government for over six years.
It said that the Indian government must respect the democratic “aspirations” of the people and “restore full statehood.”
“Only then can the newly elected government be held responsible for fulfilling its legitimate demands, expectations and aspirations,” said the statement by GCC Secretary J&K.
The GCC further said that any further delay “will be counterproductive and not in the larger interest of J&K and the country”.
“By restoring statehood, the Union government will restore to the people their right to an accountable, responsive and duly empowered government.”
The group appealed to the Union government to stop delaying restoration of statehood “in view of the Supreme Court's direction demanding early restoration of statehood.”
The GCC reiterated its confidence in the assurances given by the Prime Minister and Home Minister in Parliament and called on all political parties to work for the restoration of statehood to J&K.