|
A
chat with Omar
Abdullah, Union minister of State for Commerce and Industries.
Chat conducted on Thursday, July 27,
2000, between 1700 hours and 1800 hours IST.
Ashutosh: Do you really feel that Kashmir will get autonomy?
What will its repercussions be on your relations with the Centre?
Omar Abdullah: Yes, I do believe that Kashmir
will get autonomy. It is the amount of autonomy that is to be determined
and this is being done by ministers at the Centre and the State in discussions.
As far as relations with the Centre are concerned, they should strengthen
by this.
BN PURI:
Mr Abdullah, the IT revolution has revolutionised communication systems.
Please tell us to what extent industries and commercial activities have
benefitted by this revolution?
Omar Abdullah: We are living in the era of instant
communications. The very fact that I am able to answer your questions
sitting at home while having no idea where you are or, for that matter,
who you actually are, is indicative of this. Companies are going to have
to gear up for this communications boom. Increasingly, e-commerce will
play a key role in trade and industry. CAD-CAM and other measures are
widely accepted. Electronic licensing is being encouraged in the commerce
ministry. In fact, it is safe to say that no aspect of business will remain
untouched.
Namaste,
Omar! Don't you think that article 370 is separating Indians living
in other parts of India from Kashmiris? It's more than four decades since
the introduction of article 370; since then, and especially after the
90s, the population has drastically changed (religion wise). Under this
changed circumstance, what is the feasibility of changing the equation
back to what it was prior to introduction of article 370?
Omar Abdullah: Article 370 does not separate
Kashmir from the rest of India -- it is the bridge joining the two. It
must be remembered that Kashmir has always had a special status by virtue
of the fact that, unlike other states which merged with India, Jammu and
Kashmir acceded under special conditions and all that the state Government
wants, is to restore those special conditions to solidify the bind. Also,
it must be remembered that the state assembly passing the autonomy resolution
by a two-thirds majority reinforced this accession.
BN PURI:
Dear Mr Abdullah, I find that there is a trend in big business houses
lately to sell out their industries in some specified sectors. Being a
Minister of Industries, how do you react to this reality? Don't you think
they are liquidating your industrial empire, which needs to be checked
by you?
Omar Abdullah: We live in a free country where,
within the realms of the law, any legal activity can be carried out without
undue interference from the government. Business has always changed hands
and companies have been bought and sold regularly. As long as the assets
remain in the country and the people of India benefit with jobs, the companies
pay their taxes on time and honestly, let them buy and sell. It helps
foster competition and keeps business on its toes.
BN PURI:
Mr.Omar Abdullah, sir, the big industrial houses in private sectors are
famous for converting a sick unit into a profit-making undertaking within
a short time. Don't you think the disinvestment policy of the Central
Government with regard to Public Utility Undertakings will give a dampening
signal to big houses and they will feel rather encouraged to close down
their sick units at the slightest provocations rather than make efforts
to revive an existing sick unit?
Omar Abdullah: The Government is not selling
any public sector undertakings in a hurry and nor will we do so in the
future. We have a clear programme of disinvestment with a view to reviving
these industries. As far as private sector companies that turn sick are
concerned, there are hard and fast guidelines laid down in the BIFR guidelines.
Masreddy:
Without amending the existing labour laws which are the main cause of
sick industries, any revival package is another political blunder. What
is the answer from the Minister, please?
Omar Abdullah: Government. is aware of the fact
that there is a demand from business to amend our labour laws to make
them more forward looking. The Government is looking at all this and I
am sure that in the near future will come up with a labour policy that
is business friendly without compromising the rights of the workers and
their security.
Vijay:
What has been your single biggest achievement as Minister?
Omar Abdullah: I have only been a Minister for
nine months and you must appreciate that this is my first stint as a Minister
and it has been a steep learning curve. If there is one area in these
last nine months that I am proud of, it is the successful marketing of
India Inc as a destination for investment, a sound trading partner and
a future industrial super power abroad.
PC_Sahajwala:
Sir, analogous to the Nehru Dynasty, don’t you think that the Kashmiri
people are now realising too much dominance of the Abdullah dynasty or
having the feeling of disillusion with it so that they prefer AZADI to
living under the Abdullahs?
Omar Abdullah: The people of Jammu and Kashmir
are free to live under the Congress or under Mufti Syed or, for that matter,
under the BJP or any other political organisation. No one forced them
to vote the NC to power in 1996 and no one forced them to vote for me
in two successive parliamentary elections. This is not a dictatorship
-- we as a family have earned the right to be where we are not because
of the family we were born into, but because of the people voting us there.
They could just as easily have voted someone else to power.
PC_Sahajwala:
Sir, instead of taking the state (J & K) to 2053, why does your
father want to take it to 1953? Will that not make history repeat itself
all over again?
Omar Abdullah: He believes that 1953 is a good
starting point to take the state forward to 2053. It is a starting point
to correct old mistakes and rebuild ties and relationships within the
constitution of India and not with the slogan of Freedom or Pakistan,
as some are doing
Ravi Razdan:
Sir, the autonomy issue that NC govt. has raised -- how is it going to
help the cause of the general people over there in the State?
Omar Abdullah: Let me use an analogy. You eat
food for survival and you pray for the soul. Similarly, economic development
will be and is the food of the state of J&K and autonomy (both Centre
State and Inner State) is for the soul.
Puneet
Singh: What is your opinion as an Indian first and a Kashmiri later
about the future relation of Kashmir with India. Do you want it to be
as an integrated part of India, or else?
Omar Abdullah: Kashmir was, is and will be an
integral part of India. Autonomy is only the means to strengthen this
bond.
Gopal
Asawa: Why didn't you resign from the Cabinet, since it rejected the
autonomy resolution?
Omar Abdullah: Because the party in its collective
wisdom decided that that would be unwise. Discussions are going on between
the State and the Centre, why should I resign in these circumstances?
I have always maintained that the party decided my joining. The Government
and they will decide when I have to resign; it is not my decision.
Amrita:
Mr Abdullah, does your father really want peace for Kashmir or is he just
another power hungry politician?
Omar Abdullah: Ask him yourself.
PC_Sahajwala:
Sir, how do you react to Hizbul's ceasefire? Do you think tripartite talks
(Centre-State-Hizbul) can bring any fruit?
Omar Abdullah: Anything or any steps that bring
peace to the troubled valley are welcome developments. I hope other organisations
follow and create conditions conducive for dialogue. As far as dialogue
with the Hizbul is concerned -- I have not heard anything mentioned in
that direction; let’s wait for the offer.
Rashmi
Kapoor: Mr.Abdullah, your past personal history shows that you had
to run from pillar to post for securing a suitable job in marketing. So
in you the wearer knows where the shoe pinches. Despite this, when employment
is so difficult to secure, you as Minister of Industry and Commerce do
not oppose any step to close down public sector units? Are you forgetting
history to retain your ministry? Please give your views.
Omar Abdullah: We are not closing down viable
public sector units that can survive, only considering closure of those
that are beyond repair. In these cases, the Government will take steps
to safeguard the workers. You will appreciate that it is better for the
Government to use the tax payers’ money to better use -- retraining,
setting up new avenues and building a stronger economic structure so as
to create new, more viable job opportunities.
Prashanth
KE: What exactly is the NC's stand on autonomy to Kashmir? Is it anywhere
close to secession from India, or just a simple demand for more power
for the state government? Is the NC’s opinion the view of the majority
of people in Kashmir? I am asking this because though your party is running
the government in Kashmir, your vote does not represent a majority.
Omar Abdullah: All the State Government asks
for is a degree of autonomy WITHIN the constitution of India. It does
not amount to secession. As far as support is concerned, the NC won a
two-thirds majority in the Assembly when its main election plank was greater
autonomy.
Ravi Lalpuria:
what have you done for bringing Hindus back to Kashmir? And do you think
it is enough?
Omar Abdullah: We are constantly striving to
create conditions that are conducive for the return of our Kashmiri Pandit
brothers and sisters. We want them to return with dignity and honour and
of their own free will, free of coercion. Do I think we have done enough?
No, we will never have done enough until they are all back home living
together, keeping the spirit of Kashmiriyat alive.
V.Bhat:
Hi, Omar. Are you happy about your role in the present situation?
Omar Abdullah: Yes, thank you very much, I am
enjoying the challenge of my work and find it very rewarding.
Manikandan.m:
What is your email address ?
Omar Abdullah: My email address is mos_c&i@ub.delhi.nic.in
Mahesh
Malani: Dear Mr. Abdullah – Will you be kind enough to tell us
whether the moderator in this chat is normally somebody from India Today
Group or is he the man of the person with whom we chat?
Omar Abdullah: I am doing my own moderation --
thank you very much, but to be honest with you, I have a couple of guys
from India Today to make sure I do not do anything silly. Do you want
to say Hi to them?
Tanveer
Rasool: When will you be available in Srinagar, sir? We want to seek
your counsel.
Omar Abdullah: I hope to be in Srinagar this
Saturday;otherwise use the email address I just gave and we can fix a
suitable time.
Rakesh:
You have twice mentioned that NC wants autonomy WITHIN THE CONSTITUTION.
However, the resolution passed by your party seeks to break free from
the very Constitution and proposes its own Constitution and Supreme Court.
Your comments, please !
Omar Abdullah: We already have our own Constitution
as per the provisions of the Indian Constitution, so there is no question
of this being a new proposal. As far as the Supreme Court is concerned,
it will laws which have jurisdiction over the State.
Smriti
Vij: Mr Moderator, how come you don’t take my questions?
Omar
Abdullah: Because you are chatting with me – do not use up my time
to chat to him, set up your own appointment. He is a busy person, unlike
me.
Santosh
: How similar is your nature compared to your Father’s?
Omar
Abdullah: In most things we are like chalk and cheese, but on crucial
issues we tend to agree or at least agree to disagree.
Smriti
Vij: Since you are much younger than most of your colleagues and other
ministers, are you at ease while raising your views in front of them?
Omar Abdullah: I am the youngest Minister in
the Council of Ministers, so if I let age be a factor, I would never get
anything done. It has not proven to be a disadvantage, rather the opposite.
Rakesh:
Does your wife, Payal, play any advisory or active role to help you with
your responsibilities towards the public?
Omar Abdullah: She plays the most important role
-- by making sure that I have a home to come back to, by shouldering the
entire responsibility of raising our two boys and at the same time looking
after her travel business. She is also an impartial sounding board and
harsh critic where she feels I have been wrong. It’s a good partnership
and helps me keep my feet planted firmly on the ground.
Rakesh:
Talking of companies gearing up for the communication boom -- why
am I, an exporter, forced to open five different bank accounts at five
ports/airports that I use to export my goods for the purpose of duty drawback
claims? Can't the government use communications technology to credit an
exporter's normal bank account, regardless of where it is located? And,
indeed, this applies to other areas of my interaction with the Government
as part of my business and export efforts.
Omar Abdullah: Interesting point. Write to me
-- or better still, email me the details and let’ see if we can simplify
the procedures.
Santosh:
Why has Kashmir lagged behind in dvelopment? Any special reason for that?
Omar Abdullah: Militancy and violence. Prior
to 1989,we were one of the better states economically.
Aay:
what are you doing to encourage the industries in the Jammu region? Don’t
you think the area is neglected as well as unexploited? Please don’t
be ambiguous in your answer.
Omar Abdullah: There has been a lot that has
been happening for Jammu: We have had a buyer-seller meet attended by,
among others, Mr George Fernandes. We had a DGS&D registration conference,
we also had an export promotion conference. I have organised a Urban Haat
for Jammu as well as a Sports Industry Development Institute. There is
also to be a Leather Development Institute in Jammu with help from UNDP.
Rakesh:
Do you realize, Mr Abdullah, that by accepting the Supreme Court's jurisdiction
over Kashmir, you are contradicting the resolution your party has passed
in the Kashmir Assembly? Do you wish to register your disagreement with
the resolution on this one specific point?
Omar Abdullah: Read the autonomy reports and
then get back to me; it is just this sort of ill informed comment that
has caused so much disinformation about autonomy.
Ayush:
Any thought and possibilities for information technology in Jammu and
Kashmir?
Omar Abdullah: We have already sanctioned four
crores from the Commerce Ministry for a Software Technology Park for Srinagar
and this should be ready by October. This will provide microwave connectivity
to other parts of the state for smaller technology parks.
Monil:
Do you believe Pakistan will one day give up its dream of including Kashmir
in its state so easily?
Omar Abdullah: Reality of the position on the
ground will force them to do so. Kashmir was never theirs in the first
place and Kargil and the supreme sacrifice by so many of our soldiers
reinforced this. THEY CANNOT LAY CLAIM TO ANY PART OF INDIA FROM KASHMIR
ALL THE WAY TO THE SOUTH.
Sangwan:
Who is a true nationalist?
Omar Abdullah: I am -- and I hope you are as
well.
MODERATOR:
Thank you, Mr Abdullah, for participating in this chat session with India
Today. We look forward to talking with you again.
|
