SRINAGAR, OCTOBER 19: Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet has passed a resolution urging the Union Government to restore the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Cabinet which met under the chairmanship of Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday passed a unanimous resolution for restoration of statehood in its original form.
The restoration of statehood will be the beginning of a healing process, reclaiming constitutional rights and protecting the identity of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Cabinet has authorized the Chief Minister to take up the matter with the Prime Minister and the Government of India for restoration of statehood.
Protection of Jammu and Kashmir’s unique identity and constitutional rights of people remains the cornerstone of the newly elected government’s policy.
An official spokesperson said that the Chief Minister would be proceeding to New Delhi in the coming days to meet the Prime Minister and Union Ministers in this regard.
On Wednesday, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said the Prime Minister and Home Minister have already made it clear that statehood will be granted to Jammu and Kashmir at an appropriate time.
“Prime Minister has said statehood will be restored during campaigning in Srinagar. “And the Home Minister has said in Parliament that Statehood will be given to J&K at an appropriate time. So where is the question? What I am happy about is that developments are taking place in the same sequence as they have been promised: first delimitation, then elections, and, finally, statehood,” he said.
Last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the decision to transform Jammu and Kashmir into a Union Territory is “temporary” and the BJP-led government will restore the statehood to the region.
“BJP is the only party which will restore statehood to the region,” he reiterated.
On Thursday, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah expressed hope that the Centre would soon restore the statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
“We have raised the issue of (restoration of) statehood before as well. Today, the Supreme Court has said it will be listed soon. I am hopeful that the Government of India will soon restore the statehood,” Abdullah added.
The government will work on achieving what is in the (NC’s) manifesto, address the problems of the people, and take J-K on the path of peace and progress “so that we make this state better”, he said.
“There is huge unemployment and it is important to end that. Traffic has to be managed. Our people who ride scooters, do not wear helmets, that needs to be seen. The corruption will be taken care of,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet also decided to summon the Legislative Assembly at Srinagar on the 4th of November 2024 and advised the Lieutenant Governor to summon and address the Legislative Assembly.
The draft address of the Lieutenant Governor to the Legislative Assembly at the commencement of the first session was also placed before the Council of Ministers which the Council decided shall be further considered and discussed.
The Council also made a recommendation to the LG for the appointment of Mubarak Gul as Protem Speaker who will administer oath to the elected members of the Legislative Assembly on 21st October 2024. Meanwhile, the Lieutenant Governor subsequently issued the order to appoint Mubarik Gul as Protem Speaker till the election of the Speaker is held.
