Srinagar, Oct 17: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Friday said his government continues to exercise the same powers it had a year ago and is still committed to restoring full statehood as promised by the Centre.
“I don’t know what power you are talking about. We have the same power as we had a year ago. And we are hoping for more power. That’s why we are pushing for statehood,” Omar said while speaking to reporters at Kulgam.
He said the people of Jammu and Kashmir were assured that statehood would be restored within the first year of the elected government, but the delay lies entirely with the BJP-led central government.
“We were thinking that within the first year itself, the central government would fulfill this promise. But for whatever reasons, Jammu and Kashmir is still deprived of statehood. Only the BJP and the central government can tell us. But we will not give up our efforts,” he added.
Omar said the decision to restore the traditional Darbar Move was taken three weeks ago in a cabinet meeting and later sent to the Lieutenant Governor for approval.
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“Starting the Darbar Move again was also a promise we made to our people. Three weeks ago, when the cabinet meeting took place, this decision was taken. As soon as we received LG sahib’s signature on the file, we issued the order,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that the cabinet sub-committee headed by Education Minister Sakina Itoo had completed its work on reservation changes and the file is now being routed for final approval.
“The cabinet approved that report. Now the memo is being prepared and through circulation, we will approve it and send it to the LG sahib. That was also a promise made to our people,” he said.
Responding to a question about Mehbooba Mufti’s statement regarding legislation in the Assembly, Omar said it is not the government but the Speaker who decides which bills are tabled.
“The Speaker will decide which bill will come to the Assembly and which will not. But if a bill comes before the House which will benefit the people of Jammu and Kashmir, my government will not block it. However, I cannot dictate to the Speaker which bill should come and which should not. There is a proper procedure,” he said.
“Whatever good bills are there, we will definitely support them,” he added. (KNS)
