Srinagar:Days after meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and union home minister Amit Shah in the national capital, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah told officers on Monday that he had received "assurances from the highest level" that J&K's union territory status was temporary.
Omar Abdullah made the remark while addressing administrative secretaries in Srinagar.
"If anybody thinks that somehow the fact that we are a UT will shield you from the consequences of practices that go against the pledge, please remember the shield may last temporarily, but it is only temporary," he was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.
Referring to Lt Governor Manoj Sinha's say in governance, Omar Abdullah said the employees of the union territory's government had been working in a "hybrid system of governance". He said some people think that they can exploit the system to their advantage.
“But please rest assured that this is very much a temporary phase,” Omar said.
He said he had returned after "successful" meetings in the national capital. He said once statehood is restored, there wouldn't be loopholes to be exploited.
"I have received assurance at the highest level that their commitments made to Jammu and Kashmir, particularly with regard to the governance, will change," he added.
On October 16, the union territory's cabinet passed a resolution seeking statehood.
Omar Abdullah met with defence minister Rajnath Singh, home minister Amit Shah, minister of roads, transport & highways, Nitin Gadkari, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital last week.
In 2019, the BJP-led Centre revoked the special status granted to Jammu and Kashmir. It also carved two union territories from the erstwhile state – Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.