SRINAGAR, Sept 13 — The Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Mr Omar Abdullah, here today hinted at the resumption of Centre-State discussion on the autonomy issue soon after the return of the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, from the USA. Holding that the issue was alive, the MP representing Srinagar constituency in the Lok Sabha said the Centre was constituting a committee for holding a dialogue with the state on this vital issue.

Replying to questions of mediapersons here today, Mr Omar Abdullah refused to agree with the observation that the demand for autonomy had been put on the backburner after it was rejected by the Union Cabinet. He said the issue was alive.

Asked why there was no development on this front for long time, the minister said since many other groups expressed their willingness to enter into a dialogue, the attention was diverted for some time. In this connection he referred to the dialogue offer with the Hurriyat Conference and the ceasefire by the Hizbul Mujahideen. The minister said it was in the interest of the Centre itself to agree to the demand of greater autonomy which was within the ambit of the Constitution.

Mr Omar Abdullah, who is currently on a tour to his home constituency, said the Centre was constituting a committee to discuss the issue with the state committee already announced by the Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah. He said the state government wanted an open-minded person to represent the Centre in talks and a couple of names were being suggested for the Central committee. He said communication was on between the Prime Minister, Home Minister and the Chief Minister.

In reply to a question, Mr Omar Abdullah said the issue of autonomy could be again discussed in the legislature if the need arose.