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Srinagar, October 17 (IANS) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said that the BJP is well aware that there is a delay in granting statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking to reporters in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district, Omar Abdullah said that he is continuously making efforts to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir so that the elected government has more powers.
He clearly blamed the BJP for delaying the granting of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir “for reasons best known to the BJP.”
Speaking about his government’s decision to restore the more than a hundred and fifty-year-old tradition of shuttling top government offices between Srinagar and Jammu on a six-monthly basis, popularly known as the ‘Darbar Move’, the Chief Minister said, “It was a promise made to the people and we have fulfilled it.”
The shifting of the offices of the Chief Minister, his cabinet colleagues and all top officials in the civil secretariat to Jammu during winter and Srinagar during summer was stopped by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha in 2021.
As per the decision taken by the Omar Abdullah-led government, the civil secretariat will be closed in Srinagar on October 31 and will reopen in Jammu on November 3.
Every government employee shifting for Darbar move will get a move allowance of Rs 25,000.
Reiterating his demand for statehood, Omar said, “We were expecting the Center to restore statehood within a year. We don’t know why there is a delay – only the BJP knows. But our fight for it will continue.”
Talking about the reservation rules, he said that a cabinet sub-committee was formed under the leadership of Sakina Itu, and it has submitted the final report. “The report has been approved. The Cabinet memo is being prepared for circulation and will be sent to the LG for approval.”
The Chief Minister also spoke about the losses suffered by farmers due to floods after continuous drought. He said that the government does not need to wait for the Assembly to resolve the issue.
“Wherever there has been damage to agriculture or horticulture crops, assessment has been completed. Talks are underway with the Center for a relief package similar to that given to other states. Jammu and Kashmir also deserves such a package,” he said.
On quashing of FIRs lodged during Covid-19 restrictions, Omar said, “Right now law and order is not with the elected government. Once we get those powers, we will also fulfill our other promises.”
Omar’s office later said on Twitter that the CM visited stalls set up by various departments in Kulgam.
“The Chief Minister visited stalls set up by various departments in Kulgam, showcasing key government schemes, public welfare initiatives and achievements under flagship programmes,” the post reads.
“He interacted with officials and beneficiaries, appreciating their efforts to ensure citizen-centric governance and effective service delivery,” the CM’s office said on Twitter.
–IANS
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