Bats for Statehood, hopes PM will fulfill demand
Tourism suffered setback after Pahalgam attack
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, June 11: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said the Cabinet Sub-Committee (CSC) report on reservation will be placed before the Cabinet within days and recommendations made by the Panel will be looked into.
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He described as “landmark event’ the launch of train services to Kashmir and opening of highest railway bridge over river Chenab in Reasi district.
Speaking to media persons at Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh, Omar said the Cabinet meeting will take place in next few days and recommendations of the CSC, finalized yesterday, will be tabled before it and looked into.
“The Cabinet generally meets twice a month,” he said, adding since the Legislative Assembly is not in session, legislation can’t be introduced.
Yesterday, Health and Medical Education, Education and Social Welfare Minister Sakina Itoo, one of the CSC members, had announced that they have finalized recommendations and will place them before the Cabinet. PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control and Forest Minister Javed Rana and Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Minister Satish Sharma were two other members of the CSC which was set up on December 10, 2024 following protests by the general category candidates that percentage of reservation has reached 70 leaving hardly 30 percent Government jobs and seats in educational institutions for them.
Responding to a question on 11 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in office, the Chief Minister said: “People voted for him. He has been re-elected thrice and that speaks for itself”.
He again pressed for restoration of Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir expressing confidence that the Prime Minister would fulfill the demand.
Asserting that development alone is not enough as the neighbouring country continues to make attempts to destabilize the region, Omar stressed for both efforts and success to ensure sustained progress in Jammu and Kashmir. He acknowledged setback to tourism following April 22 Pahalgam attack in which 26 civilians including 25 tourists and a local were killed by the terrorists but said efforts are on to restore normalcy.
“Jammu and Kashmir needs maximum development. No matter how much development happens, it’s not enough. The way our neighbouring country is trying to deteriorate the situation, we need to ensure that maximum development takes place in Jammu and Kashmir,” Omar said.
He emphasized the importance of rapid development in Jammu and Kashmir, citing the “ill designs of the neighbouring country”.
“Developmental initiatives would play a vital role in thwarting the designs of those who do not wish for peace and prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir… like the neighbouring country,” the Chief Minister said, apparently referring to Pakistan.
Abdullah’s visit to Aligarh was a personal one.
According to sources, the CM was in Aligarh to meet the family members of a school friend who had passed away recently.
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