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Autonomy bill may not be voted on

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah tonight met Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and indicated that the autonomy resolution, currently being discussed in the state assembly, may not be put to vote during the ongoing special session of the state assembly.

He told reporters after the meeting that the autonomy issue would be discussed with the Centre and his government had no plans to get a resolution first in the state assembly on the issue.

"We have asked the Centre to form a ministerial committee to discuss the pros and cons of the resolution besides holding discussions with other state governments," Abdullah said.

Asked whether the resolution would be put to vote, he said, "This was not a matter of days... all clauses have to be discussed before coming to a decision."

The chief minister refuted that the resolution would lead to any disintegration of the country and said "vested interests" were spreading rumours about the resolution.

He said all states of the country were now favouring a federal system of governance. "Even in today's meeting of chief ministers with Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha, the debate revolved around adopting a federal structure for financial controls in every state."

"I am doing nothing disastrous. Autonomy is the only way to find solution to the militancy-hit state. There is nothing to fear. Jammu and Kashmir will remain united and an integral part of the country," he said.

He said the resolution was not aimed at weakening the country but was proposed only to strengthen state's relations with the Union.

Abudullah said his party would take every section of the population into confidence on the issue. "I am aware of the aspirations of people. I will never play with the sentiments of my people. National integrity will not be compromised," he said.

Meanwhile, the special session of the Jammu and Kashmir legislative assembly was extended by a day today. Speaker Abdul Ahad Vakil said the assembly will also meet on Monday to enable members to speak on the motion.

The special session of the assembly was scheduled to conclude on Saturday.

PTI

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EARLIER REPORT:
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