Govt to ensure electricity supply schedule is followed strictly
Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Dec 4: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said people are more concerned about the delivery of governance than changing the nomenclature of institutions in the country.
“Name change is fine, but there should be a change in the functioning as well. People are not bothered about the names, they look at our work,” Omar told reporters on the sidelines of a Passing Out Parade of the Army’s JAKLI regiment.
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Omar while reacting to the Government renaming Raj Bhawan across the country as Lok Bhawan said that what matters to citizens is governance. “Whether you call it Raj Bhawan or Lok Bhawan, the purpose is the same: that people should receive comfort and timely service. The change is meaningful only when it improves public convenience. A rose by any other name will still smell as sweet,” he said.
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He said that the name change would suggest that there will be more work done for the people now. “How does it matter to people whether I call myself Chief Minister, Mukhyamantri or Wazeer-e-Aa’la?” he added.
On the review of the reservation quota, Omar said the file has been sent to the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, for approval on Wednesday.
On the electricity supply in peak winter in Kashmir, the Chief Minister said the Government will make all efforts to ensure that the schedule of electricity supply is followed strictly.
Asked about steps taken by the Government to provide relief to the next of kin of Nowgam blast victims, Omar said their cases for appointment in Government service on compassionate grounds are in process.
“Those who are eligible will get their due, and wherever there is a need to relax the norms, it will be done. The cases are being processed and as soon as the formalities are completed, the appointment letters will be handed over to them,” he added.
The Chief Minister said the inability of the elected government to declare a public holiday on the birth anniversary of National Conference (NC) founder Sheikh Abdullah reflects why J&K must have its full Statehood restored.
He said key administrative powers, including the authority to announce public holidays, rest with the Centre and not with the elected Government of the Union Territory.
“I wish we had the power to declare a holiday. In the division of powers, the elected Government has not been given holiday power. The Centre has been given that authority,” he said, adding that Sheikh Abdullah’s stature does not depend on whether a holiday is declared or not and that “he lives in people’s hearts.”
Calling for the restoration of Statehood, he said, “That is why we are asking for our State back, so that we can make big and small decisions on our own.”
Referring to Sheikh Abdullah’s legacy, he noted that even the ceremonial sword awarded to the best cadets is known as the Sher e Kashmir sword.
“You saw the best cadet was awarded a sword, which is known by the name of Sher-e-Kashmir. So, whether there is a holiday or not, someone’s stature or contribution is not lessened. People continue to remember him,” he said.
Omar said the Election Commission of India should convene a meeting of political parties to allay their apprehension about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
“There are apprehensions, and it will be better that the Election Commission call people like us to make us understand what SIR really is because we have seen that while you do not steal elections through machines, but they are surely manipulated,” he said.
The Chief Minister called the 2023 delimitation in J&K a manipulation of elections.
“You created seven seats for political gains that led to benefiting a single party or its friends. The elections are manipulated like that. So, there are apprehensions over SIR that elections might be manipulated through SIR,” he added.
Omar on the arrival of Russian President Vladimir Putin to India said the good relations between New Delhi and Moscow go back a long way.
“We have very old and deep ties with Russia, which has time and again stood with India when conspiracies, wars and even attacks by our neighbours were carried out against India. Russia came forward to help India – whether it was for the supply of arms or using its veto power in the UN or the Security Council. It is a good thing that the Russian President is visiting India. It will be a good thing if our relations improve further,” he said.
The Chief Minister also said that if Indo-Russian relations benefit some other country, there should not be any objection.
“Our PM has a very good relationship with Putin, and if that benefits Ukraine somehow, if we can persuade Russia to tread the path of peace and end the attack on Ukraine, I think it will be everyone’s success,” he added.
Earlier, the Chief Minister attended the Passing Out Parade of Agniveer Batch-06 at the Jammu & Kashmir Light Infantry (JAK LI) Regimental Centre, Srinagar, where he congratulated the young soldiers for successfully completing their 31-week rigorous training.
He wished them a distinguished and honourable career in the service of the nation.
Addressing the Agniveers and recruits on the occasion, Omar said, “On this auspicious occasion, I extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all the Agniveers and recruits as you are going to become members of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry Regiment after passing the tough test and rigorous training of 31 weeks. You are all very fortunate to be a part of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry.”
He said Agniveer Batch-06 and JAK LI Territorial Army recruits would forever inscribe their names in the proud history of the Regiment. “You will make the name and legacy of this great Regiment proud,” he added.
Expressing confidence in their capabilities, the Chief Minister said, “I not only hope but am confident that you will continue to excel beyond your abilities. You are the future of the country’s Army, and you will have a huge responsibility on your shoulders. To fulfill this responsibility, not only the Indian Army but the entire country has great expectations from you. I am sure you will fulfill all these expectations well.”
He also extended his gratitude to the families of the young soldiers. “I congratulate and thank your families and parents, who dedicated you to serve in the Army and encouraged you to join as Agniveers and recruits.”
At another function, the Chief Minister handed over compassionate appointment orders to beneficiaries at the SKICC here reaffirming the Government’s commitment to provide support to the bereaved families.
The Chief Minister handed over appointment and regularisation orders to 54 beneficiaries from various districts of Kashmir, marking another significant step toward clearing the backlog of cases under both SRO-43 and RAS-2022.
Expressing empathy with families who approach the Government following personal bereavement, the Chief Minister underscored that compassionate appointments are rights guaranteed under an established policy framework, not acts of favour. He said the Government’s endeavour is to stand firmly with the affected families during their most difficult moments and provide them the institutional support they are entitled to.
Omar said that the lacunae in processing the cases need to be corrected so that the onus is on Government to complete the formalities rather than candidates having to run from pillar to post to obtain clearances and in pursuing submission of their cases from subordinate offices which takes months together causing further hardship to applicants.
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