Srinagar- Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday asserted that the “appropriate time” for restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood had come.
“We think the appropriate time has come … Six months have passed since the assembly elections. (Union Home Minister Amit) Shah came here, I had a separate meeting with him, a good one … I am still hopeful that Jammu and Kashmir will soon get its statehood back,” Abdullah told reporters after inaugurating a bridge in Pulwama district.
Earlier, addressing a public gathering, the chief minister said statehood was not the destination but the starting point for reclaiming what the people of Jammu and Kashmir lost in 2019.
“Statehood is not our destination but a prerequisite to start the process of reclaiming what the people have lost in the last six to seven years,” he said.
Abdullah, the National Conference vice-president, said the people’s mandate was for “restoring their dignity and protecting their identity”.
Reaffirming his government’s commitment, the chief minister said, “We will leave no stone unturned in fulfilling the promises and commitments made to the people during the elections.”
He further said that downgrading Jammu and Kashmir from a State to a Union Territory has significantly hit the administrative accountability and efficiency.
He highlighted the stark contrast between functioning as a Chief Minister of a State and that of a Union Territory.
Reflecting on his tenure as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir when it was a state, he said, “Back then, if I directed officials to execute a task, they would come up with ten different ways to get it done. But now, under the Union Territory setup, the same officials find ten different excuses to avoid doing that very task.”
Assuring people of his commitment to local rights, Omar promised that his party would introduce legislation ensuring that jobs are reserved exclusively for the local youth.
The Chief Minister referred to Himachal Pradesh, where a law mandates that 70% of jobs in private industries be reserved for local residents.
He questioned why a similar provision cannot be implemented in Jammu and Kashmir. “If our neighboring state can safeguard employment opportunities for its people, why should Jammu and Kashmir be any different?” he asked.
He also asserted that only the people of Jammu and Kashmir should have ownership and control over their natural resources, including minerals.
Speaking about the promises made during the election campaign, Omar claimed that several of them have already been fulfilled. These include the provision of free electricity and ration for the economically weaker sections and the introduction of free bus travel for women. “People will not have to wait for five years to see our promises materialize. We are determined to fulfill each one of them in a short span,” he assured.
Commenting on the bridge, Abdullah said it was unfortunate that the bridge connecting Chrar-e-Sharief to south Kashmir took 11 years to rebuild after being washed away in the floods of 2014.
“I think this bridge was destined to be thrown open by us,” he said. (inputs from agencies)
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