Jammu & Kashmir Autonomy Resolution

On June 26, 2000, in a historic move, the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly adopted by voice vote a resolution accepting the report of the State Autonomy Committee, recommending greater autonomy to the State. The Assembly sought the following:

1. The word ‘temporary’ in Article 370 to be substituted with ‘special’.
2. Only defence, foreign affairs, communications and ancillary subjects to be with the Centre.
3. Article 356 not to apply to J&K.
4. Election Commission of India to have no role.
5. J&K Assembly to have final say on Central role in case of external aggression / internal emergency.
6. No room for All-India Services (IAS, IPS and IFS) in J&K.
7. Governor and Chief Minister to be called Sadar-e-Riyasat and Wazir-e- Azam.
8. Separate charter of fundamental rights for J&K.
9. Parliament’s and President’s role over J&K to be sharply curtailed.
10. No special leave to appeal by the Supreme Court.
11. No special provisions for scheduled castes/tribes and backward classes.
12. Centre to lose adjudication rights relating to inter-state rivers or river valleys.
13. No jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in appeals from the High Court in civil and criminal matters.
14. Parliament not to be empowered to amend the Constitution and procedure with respect to J&K.

    On July 14, 2000, the Union Cabinet rejected as unacceptable the June 26 autonomy resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, though at the same time committing itself to a greater devolution of powers to all states. The Cabinet found the June 26 resolution unacceptable because essentially it was a plea for restoration of the pre-1953 status to the state.
    The Cabinet was unanimous in its judgement that the June 26 resolution could not be accepted, fully or even partially, because it would set the clock back and reverse the natural process of harmonizing the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir with the integrity of the nation.
      Specifically about Jammu and Kashmir, the Cabinet wanted the people and the state government to join hands in the endeavour to address the real problems facing the state: to root out insurgency and cross-border terrorism, and to ensure accelerated development.