NEW DELHI, OCT 21: The spiralling cost of fighting Pakistani-trained terrorists in Kashmir, better co-ordination among half-a-dozen agencies and forces (including the Army) as well as a review of the much-touted ``action plan'' for the state will be the key issues in tomorrow's discussion to be held in North Block here.US ambassador Richard Celeste's two-day visit to Srinagar may have ruffled a few feathers in New Delhi, but Kashmir watchers do not read much into it. The Vajpayee Government is attaching a lot of importance to tomorrow's meeting with the list of participants alone indicating its significance. Convened by Union Home Minister L.K. Advani, it will be attended by Defence Minister George Fernandes, Kashmir Governor Girish Saxena, Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, Army chief V.P. Malik and Himachal Pradesh Chief Secretary Asha Swaroop, besides top Home and Defence officials.One of the main points of discussion, revealed a senior official, would be to further streamline co-ordination among theArmy, para-military forces, Jammu & Kashmir Police and the Intelligence Bureau (IB) which are currently battling militancy in the state. While the process of arming the village defence committees (VDCs) in far flung-areas and equipping the state police with sophisticated weapons is in accordance with the ``action plan'', observers say the desired co-ordination between the various agencies is not yet up to the mark.Also on the cards is a detailed financial scrutiny of expenses involved. The cost of anti-militancy operations is borne mainly by New Delhi. A senior official disclosed, ``we expect a little more transparency, a little more accountability of the funds being pumped into the operations.''The review of the action plan put into practice about three months ago by New Delhi after consultations with the State Government and the Defence Ministry will figure in the meeting. Once again, observers say the thrust will on the Government's pro-active approach towards thwarting militants' designs in``vulnerable areas'', especially Doda.It is in this connection that Himachal Pradesh has been invited to the meeting. The recent massacre in Chamba district has necessitated the state's involvement in all future anti-insurgency plans for Kashmir, say officials.
