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Army representation sought in Planning Commission

The Indian army has asked for a berth in the Planning Commission to co-ordinate developmental activities in the states, especially border areas, Chief of Army Staff General Ved Prakash Malik said.

In an informal chat with reporters in Bombay, he said he has discussed the issue with Planning Commission Chairman Jaswant Singh, a retired army officer, who has already presented Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee a report on the subject.

People from various fields like scientists and technocrats are Planning Commission members. "Because of our presence in various places and regions, especially, in border and other far-flung areas, we know about the problems of people in those areas. We can help the Planning Commission by suggesting ways and means to develop those places," General Malik said.

To a query on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, he said it is 'well within control'.

Asked about the Islamisation of Pakistan, he refused to elaborate. All he would say was "fundamentalism of any form cannot get along with the principles of secularism."

UNI

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