Delay in hearing plea ‘unfortunate’
Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Aug 25: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today hoped that the Supreme Court will step in in restoration of Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
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Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a Social Welfare Department function in Srinagar, Omar expressed disappointment over the Apex Court’s refusal to hear the plea for restoration of Statehood before October 10 and described the delay as “unfortunate”.
“It is a pity that the SC is not ready to hear this before October 10. We will wait a little longer. But we are still hoping that where the Central Government has not made this decision, at least the Court should do it,” he said.
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The Chief Minister said his Government has been pressing for Statehood since it took over last year. “In our first cabinet meeting, we passed a resolution for Statehood. I handed it to the PM. But we have not received any benefit yet,” he added.
Omar said that the elections in J&K were possible only because the SC imposed a time limit. “Unfortunately, the court did not set a deadline for Statehood, and that is why we are being dragged so much,” he added.
The CM hoped that when the matter comes up after October 10, the court will set a time frame to restore statehood.
Omar said, in the meantime, the signature campaign for restoration of statehood is underway. “When we complete it, we will send it to the Central Government and the Supreme Court,” he added.
On PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti’s protest demanding the shifting of Kashmiri prisoners from outside jails back to the Valley, Omar said the matter falls under New Delhi’s jurisdiction.
“All of us are worried about this. But the security decisions of Jammu and Kashmir are taken in Delhi, in the Home Ministry. So, it would be better if she meets the Home Minister and raise the matter there, like we did. If it is only for show, then do it here. No one will object,” he said.
The Chief Minister also spoke about the Government’s welfare initiatives, stressing that most schemes have now shifted online. “Earlier, you had to go to Government offices to apply. Now, most of our schemes are online. The Social Welfare Department is trying to ensure information about these schemes reaches every resident of Jammu and Kashmir who may need them,” he added.
Omar said that social welfare is a Government’s obligation, not a gesture of charity. “Social welfare is not a favour of people by any Government. It is the duty of the Government. There was a time when these schemes were considered charity, but they are the right of people who face greater difficulties than others,” he said.
He cautioned that Governments fail if welfare benefits remain confined to the well-off or to urban centres. “If all the schemes of the Government are for those who do not lack money, education, or health, then that Government is of no use. If our focus is only on the cities and we forget about rural areas, then we are betraying our responsibility,” he said.
He admitted that while funding shortfalls limit some schemes, the Government intends to use CSR contributions from private companies to fill gaps, reduce waiting lists, and expand reach into rural districts.
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