Jammu and Kashmir

The people of Jammu and Kashmir are fed up with years of militancy and terrorism. They want peace and development. They want a responsive administration. The Congress is open to dialogue and discussion with any group within the framework of the Constitution. Cross-border terrorism will continue to be fought relentlessly. There will be no-let up in the war on militants and terrorists aided and abetted from across the borders. At the same time, the economic development of J&K will be speeded up and given full support. The issue of regional autonomy will be given serious and critical consideration.

The Congress stands committed to respecting Article 370 in letter and spirit. Every effort will be made to ensure the early scheduling of the long-delayed elections to the local bodies.

Development of Backward Areas

One of the most important objectives of the Congress’s economic policies is the redressal of regional disparities. Both inter-state and intra-state disparities sare of concern. Each state has pockets of development and pockets of backwardness and stagnation. Some states have developed faster than others. The essence of economic reforms is to strengthen the capacity of governments to enhance investments that tackle these disparities in a tangible manner. Poverty, low agricultural productivity, underdeveloped physical infrastructure and a low profile on social indicators particularly related to the status of women tend to coincide in about districts of the country. An integrated strategy combining elements of both growth and social deployment will be put in place and a special national programme for the development of the most backward districts of India will be launched.

India’s most formidable and serious challenge is economic development and social transformation in two of its most populous and poorest states, namely UP and Bihar. 54 of the 100 most backward districts of the country are in UP and Bihar. The fiscal position in all states is precarious but it is particularly so in these two states where all investments have come to a virtual standstill because of the structure of government expenditure.

Politics in these two states has to become the catalyst for change. Issues relating to population planning, female literacy, land reforms, a new work culture, good governance, etc must be championed by all political parties, brought on the public agenda and backed fully by new investments and organisations. The Congress itself will take the lead in this direction and set the example for others to follow so that there is an all-pervasive developmental ethos.

Greater resources are undoubtedly required for these two states. These will be mobilised as a national endeavour. But at the same time governance in these states has to improve vastly. The capacity of these states to invest more in the social sectors, particularly education and health, in a sustained manner has to be enhanced. Land reforms in these states have to be carried out more seriously. Agricultural growth potential has to be realised in greater measure. A climate conducive to industrial investment has to be created. Basic infrastructure facilities need major expansion. Local government bodies need to be strengthened considerably. Without meaningful financial and administrative decentralisation, these large and sprawling states just cannot be managed effectively. The systems of fiscal transfers must be weighted in favour of backward states. There must, of course, be a link with performance as well.

Union Territories and Small States

Representative and elected forums, in the nature of mini-assemblies, will be established in all Union Territories. The Island Development Authority, instituted by Shri Rajiv Gandhi, will be revived and revitalised for the development of our island territories.

In Delhi, the Congress will thoroughly examine all problems arising out of the fracturing of responsibilities between different authorities with a view to ensuring greater efficiency and the statehood to the territory. The special problems of small states will receive sympathetic attention and expeditious action.

New States

The new states of Uttarakhand, Chattisgagh and Jharkhand will be created without any further delay. Special sub-regional development boards will be constituted in states where there are striking economic disparities. These boards will be given meaningful autonomy for the implementation of development schemes.

Administrative Reforms

It has been over thirty years since administrative reforms were looked at in a comprehensive manner. A new Administrative Reforms Commission will be established to prepare a detailed blueprint for a public administration system that can become a more effective instrument of change and transformation.

In the past few years, a Lok Pal Bill has been under discussion in Parliament. The Congress attaches high priority to passage of a suitable Lok Pal Bill. All elected representative of the Congress will declare their assets on the day of his entering and demitting the office. A multi-pronged crusade will be launched for eliminating the virus of corruption from public life and for breaking the nexus involving corrupt and crooked politicians, businessmen and criminals. All agencies and organisations engaged in investigation will be allowed to function autonomously and as per the law.

A Bill on Freedom of Information and Right to Information will be introduced soon to give citizens easy access to information at all levels. The Bill to make the CVC statutory as per the directions of the Supreme Court will also be passed.

Ministries and departments will be restructured commensurate with their changing roles and responsibilities, but without any dilution in the social responsibilities towards the weaker section of society.

All outmoded procedures will be done away with. Paperwork in all government offices will, where possible, be reduced. All government agencies at the cutting edge where they come into contact with the public and ordinary citizens will be given a charter of specific responsibilities to make them more responsive and accountable to the people.

All public utilities and agencies must work and be seen to be working for the ordinary and common citizen. The civil service at all levels will be made performance-oriented. The induction of professionals and specialists in large numbers will be promoted. Special incentives for strengthening field-level administration, particularly at the level of the district, will be introduced.

Police Reforms

A National Police Commission will be set up immediately to suggest a detailed plan of action for reforming the police system and apparatus. The recommendations of the Commission will be acted upon in close collaboration with all state governments.

The police force will be freed from undue political interference and will be given independence to function in an impartial and professional manner. At the same time, steps will be taken to ensure that the police is seen to be functioning in a humane manner, in a manner that protects basic human rights and in a manner that protects the poor, the deprived and the disadvantaged.

The police force will be equipped with the latest equipment, tools and systems to make it more effective. The Congress government at the Centre will institute a special scheme for funding the modernisation of the police force in all states. Measures will be taken to undertake constant training of police personnel at all levels and sensitise them to the concerns of ordinary citizens. More women will be inducted into the police force.

The special needs of the police families, especially education and housing, will be taken care of in adequate measure. The menace of terrorism and macro-terrorism is increasing in some parts of India. The menace will be combating trade in small arms as well. Border patrolling will be made more effective. A specialised force to deal with terrorism in its various dimensions within the country will be raised.

Laws will be made and procedures will be evolved with the concurrence of the state governments to control and curb inter-state crimes.