NC seeks Baldev’s resignation, MLA submits paper
Govt working on Tulbul, lifting water from Chenab projects
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 10: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said in the Assembly that the approval for Shri Mata Vaishnodevi ropeway project was granted by the Lt Governor and not by his Cabinet as claimed yesterday by BJP’s Katra MLA Baldev Raj Sharma.
As the House assembled this morning, National Conference MLA Nazir Ahmad Gurezi joined by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary demanded resignation of Sharma for “misleading” the House on the issue.
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Intervening, Omar informed the House that he had checked the records after Sharma’s claim that the ropeway had got clearance from his Cabinet.
“I attempted to verify the facts by seeking relevant documents. I checked whether there was any approval by the Council of Ministers, and there was none. After that, I tried to find out whether the earlier Administrative Council (led by Lt Governor) had approved it, but this matter never came before the Administrative Council either.
“I then ascertained that in September 2024, this issue was placed before the Lt Governor during his visit, and he, as the competent authority, approved it. This approval was given about one month before the formation of the Government following Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. There is no Cabinet approval in this matter,” Omar said.
He said he wants the Assembly to correct the record, because “attempts are being made here to mislead the House and, through the House, the people.”
He said the BJP MLA spoke emotionally that he would resign but “we neither encourage nor provoke this. I only want to set the record straight.”
However, BJP MLA Baldev Sharma stood up from his seat and started reading from an official paper. Later, he submitted the paper to the Speaker to bring it on record.
Deputy CM Surinder Choudhary was then on his feet and called upon the BJP MLA to stop playing with the sentiments and faith of the people.
“If people vote you, you should protect their rights but instead you are playing with their faith and sentiments. What kind of Sanatan it is”? he asked.
While Baldev Sharma was supported by BJP MLAs Rajiv Jasrotia and Satish Sharma, NC MLA Nazir Gurezi continued to ask Sharma to quit as he had claimed in the House yesterday they he will resign if there was no Cabinet decision on ropeway project.
Minister Satish Sharma also joined the issue saying the BJP MLA has committed a sin.
After about 12 minutes, the Question Hour resumed.
Talking to reporters outside the Assembly, Baldev Sharma read out the order dated August 14, 2025, granting Government approval for the project.
“The ropeway cannot be set up without the permission of the Government. The Government, especially the Deputy Chief Minister, is provoking the people of Katra for protests,” he alleged.
Sharma claimed that those protesting against the project recently threatened to kill him and set ablaze his property.
“I am of the opinion that Surinder Choudhary is responsible for all this. If anything untoward happens to me or my property, he and his Government should be held accountable,” he said.
Highlighting the importance of the ropeway project, Sharma said the Shrine Board has assured rehabilitation of all those who will be affected by the project.
“Mata’s shrine belongs to the whole country and not just to the people of Katra or Jammu. The ropeway is meant to facilitate disabled and aged persons who are not able to visit the shrine,” he said.
Sharma said the high level committee formed by the Lt Governor had talked to the stakeholders to address their concerns and they have decided not to object to the project.
Meanwhile, emphasizing the need for a long-term water security plan for Jammu, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the Government intends to fully utilise the current abeyance of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) to implement major water infrastructure projects for the region.
Responding to supplementaries in response to a question of BJP MLA from Jammu West Arvind Gupta, Omar said while efforts are on to revive defunct tube wells and other water sources, such steps are only short-term remedies and cannot meet Jammu’s future water requirements.
He recalled that during the tenure of a previous National Conference (NC) and Congress coalition Government, when Sham Sharma, now a BJP MLA, who also raised supplementaries, was a Minister, a proposal to supply water from the Chenab to Jammu city was initiated but could not go through due to restrictions under the IWT.
The project was forwarded to the Asian Development Fund through the Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA), but approval was denied due to IWT-related constraints, the Chief Minister said.
He said the situation has now changed with the IWT currently in abeyance, allowing the Government an opportunity to revisit and advance long-pending water projects.
“Our Government is working closely with the Centre to take full benefit of this window,” he said.
Omar informed the House that his Government is working with Centre on two major projects — the Tulbul Navigation Barrage on Jhelum river near Sopore in north Kashmir and lifting water from Chenab river in Akhnoor to provide water to Jammu city.
“We are hopeful of receiving approval for both the projects soon, after which work will begin,” he added.
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