Puducherry, Aug 14 (UNI) Stating that the scrapping of Article 370 of the constitution which provides special status to Jammu and Kashmir and making the latter a Union territory with legislature is a deprival of the people, Chief Minister V Narayansamy on Wednesday demanded that the Central government should re-consider it.

Talking to news persons here, Mr Narayanasamy said there is rule that any change in the status of Jammu and Kashmir should be with the consent of the assembly and people. However, the BJP-led NDA government after imposing president's rule in the state and passing a bill in Parliament abrogated Article 370 and made Jammu and Kashmir a UT with legislature and Ladakh a UT without legislature.

He said at a time when Union Territories with legislature like Puducherry and Delhi are seeking statehood and with cross border terrorism in Kashmir, the Union government had taken a risk in making Jamu and Kashmir a UT with legislature.
Further it was recommended to include Jammu and Kashmir in the 15th Central Finance Commission, he said, adding that the demand of Puducherry to include it in the Finance Commission is yet to be considered.
The Chief Minister pointed out that he had time and again apprised the Centre of this and even met Mr.N K Singh the Chairperson of the 15th Finance Commission in this regard.

He said the Centre should hold assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir and then hear the view of the people whether to scrap Article 370 or not and take a decision on the issue.
Mr Narayanasamy also said that National Conference had approachedthe Supreme Court on the issue.
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