Will support people’s welfare bills
Suhail Bhat
Srinagar, Oct 17: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today reiterated his demand for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s Statehood and said his Government would support any bill in the Assembly that serves the welfare of the people and protects their rights.
Speaking to reporters here, Omar said that the Union Territory still lacks the promised powers following its reorganization.
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“We currently possess the same powers as we did a year ago, and we aspire to achieve more. That is why we are focusing on Statehood for Jammu and Kashmir. It was a promise made to the people that must be fulfilled. We thought the Central Government would restore it within the first year itself, but that has not happened yet,” he said.
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The Chief Minister said his Government remains committed to addressing public issues within the limits of the Union Territory. “Whatever promises we made to our people, whether it is reviewing the reservation policy or reviving the Darbar Move, we will fulfill them,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the Cabinet Sub-Committee headed by Sakina Itoo had completed its review of the reservation policy and submitted its report to the Cabinet, which approved it. “The Cabinet memo is now being prepared by the concerned department and will be sent to the Lieutenant Governor for final approval,” he added.
Omar said the decision to restart the Darbar Move, the traditional biannual shifting of offices between Jammu and Srinagar, was taken three weeks ago. “We issued the order once we received the LG’s signature. After 2021, Jammu and Srinagar are again being connected through the Darbar Move,” he said.
Responding to Mehbooba Mufti’s comments about Assembly bills, the Chief Minister said the Speaker has the authority to decide which bills come before the House.
“If a bill benefits the people of Jammu and Kashmir, my Government will not block it,” he said. He added that his MLA, Tanvir Sadiq, has also brought the Land Grants Act, which was abolished in 2021.
Omar also urged the Centre to announce a special financial package for Jammu and Kashmir to compensate for losses caused by recent floods and adverse weather.
“Other States have received such packages. Jammu and Kashmir should too, so that we can rebuild damaged roads, bridges, houses, and support affected farmers,” he said.
He said the Union Territory administration should also be given full control over police and law and order, along with other powers that were promised. “We are ready to do our part, but Jammu and Kashmir must get the powers it deserves,” he said.
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