NC pursuing removal of AFSPA from peaceful areas: Farooq Abdullah

The ruling National Conference is pursuing removal of AFSPA from areas in Jammu and Kashmir where peace has returned, Union minister Farooq Abdullah said today.

"My party is pursuing removal of AFSPA from areas where peace has returned," the NC president and Union minister for New and Renewable Energy told a party convention in Rajouri district, some 180-km from here.

"AFSPA will be removed gradually in view of perceptible improvement in the security scenario." Abdullah said.

Asserting Panchayats will be given plenary powers, he said full empowerment of these institutions is imperative to make them excellent centres of public services.

Urging people to avail benefits of renewable energy schemes, the NC president asked panchs and sarpanchs to identify villages which could be covered under these programmes.