Calls for accelerating development, welfare initiatives
*Decision on Cabinet expansion at appropriate time
Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, May 11: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today met Union Home Minister Amit Shah here and held detailed discussions on a range of important issues concerning Jammu & Kashmir.
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During the meeting, the two leaders discussed several significant matters including restoration of Statehood, transaction of Business Rules, rationalisation of reservation and other key governance and public welfare issues related to Jammu & Kashmir.
The meeting also deliberated on the prevailing security and economic situation in Jammu and Kashmir, with emphasis on ensuring sustained peace, stability and inclusive growth for the people of J&K.
Omar stressed the importance of addressing governance-related concerns and accelerating developmental and welfare initiatives to meet the aspirations of the people.
He also highlighted the need for continued coordination between the Centre and the Jammu & Kashmir Government on issues of public importance.
The discussions were held in a cordial atmosphere and covered various aspects aimed at strengthening governance, improving public service delivery and ensuring long-term peace and prosperity in the region.
Before leaving for New Delhi, Omar told reporters in Srinagar that the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir couldn’t be resolved in one meeting.
He said the process was continuing but could not be resolved in a single meeting. “I wish we could get the statehood from one meeting. Then we would have got it a long time ago. Whenever we meet, I talk about statehood,” he said.
The Chief Minister said he planned to raise several issues with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, including business rules, reservation matters referred by the Lieutenant Governor to the Centre and the role of the Advocate General.
“There are other things that I would like to talk to the Home Minister about,” Omar said. “About our business rules, about the Advocate General, about the reservation matter that the Lieutenant Governor referred to Delhi, and many other issues.”
On a recent order granting the Lieutenant Governor authority over telecommunication-related decisions, the Chief Minister said the powers appropriately belonged to the office responsible for security and law and order.
“He should have the telecom powers. Tapping the telephone, or stopping the mobile service, or shutting down the internet — these orders are coming from the Home Department,” he said.
“As long as the security and law and order responsibilities are with the Home Minister, these powers should also be with him. It would be better if these powers are not with the elected government,” he said.
On speculation surrounding a cabinet reshuffle and expansion, Omar dismissed suggestions that governance was suffering because of delays. “What do you have to do with the Cabinet expansion?” he asked. “Is the work stopped? Are people not able to work? Is there any effect on development?”
The Chief Minister said decisions on cabinet expansion or reshuffling would be taken at an appropriate time after consultations with party leadership. “At the appropriate time, I will consult with the party high command and my president. But if someone tells me that the current government is not working, that there is a department that is not working properly, if there is, we will fix it,” he said.
Omar said liquor shops in Jammu and Kashmir are meant only for people whose religion permits alcohol consumption, while admitting that remarks he made a day earlier on liquor sales were a “mistake” because they lacked proper explanation and were later “twisted” by political opponents.
Omar came under criticism after refusing on Sunday to directly answer a question on banning liquor in Jammu and Kashmir and instead saying: “You are going to liquor shops on your own will. We are not dragging you there. We are not advertising it.”
The remarks triggered backlash because of Chief Minister’s own previous stand on the opening of liquor shops before elections.
Addressing the controversy, Omar said his comments were made in haste during an interaction with reporters. “It’s my mistake. I keep talking to you (media) on the roadside. You ask a question which requires a detailed answer, but due to paucity of time, I answer in such a way which is being twisted by our opponents,” he said.
Clarifying his position, the Chief Minister said liquor shops were intended only for those whose faith permits alcohol consumption and stressed that no government in Jammu and Kashmir had imposed a complete ban on liquor outlets.
“The liquor shops are meant for those whose religion allows the consumption of alcohol. In Jammu and Kashmir, no government has banned liquor shops. Let those people consume liquor whose religion allows them to do so. Our religion forbids alcohol, and we do not want anyone to take liquor,” he said.
Omar said his government has not opened any new liquor shops and had attempted to ensure such outlets were not located in areas where young people could be negatively influenced. “First, we did not open a new shop. Second, we made sure that there is no shop where our youth try to take the wrong path,” he said.
The Chief Minister accused political opponents of using the controversy to divert attention from their own record. “Now, my opponents try to hide their mistakes with this statement. If my statement was so wrong, then what did their government do? Because what I said in Ganderbal was exactly what the Finance Minister of PDP said in the Assembly,” he said.
Omar reiterated that liquor outlets were not intended for the local population. “People from different religions and backgrounds live in Jammu and Kashmir. People who come from outside J&K live here. This is for them, not for the local people,” he said.
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