Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said the National Conference (NC) government has performed to the best of its ability under the challenging circumstances in Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a press conference after the completion of the government's one year in office, the Chief Minister, as per the news agency said that it would make no sense to remain satisfied with the government’s work done in the past year, as ultimately, it is the people who decide after five years through their votes. “We want the people to be satisfied with our work. I believe we couldn’t have done better under these circumstances, but we will do much better in the future,” he said.
He said that the people can judge this government after the completion of five years. “The mandate has not been given to us for a period of ten months or a year. We have been given five years to serve. No government can fulfil all the promises in just one year,” he said, adding that the government has fulfilled its promise of passing the resolution in the cabinet and bringing it to the Assembly.
Regarding the regularisation of daily wagers, Omar said the government has already started work in this regard, and only today, the Education Department has regularised 860 CPWs, who were earlier working on meagre remuneration. “We are sticking to our promises, and all of them will be fulfilled in the five-year period. The report card on all the promises made by the government will be before the people,” he said.
Abdullah said that working in the Union Territory is a different experience. “We were expecting the restoration of statehood in the first year of governance, but we will not stop here; we will continue to fight for it,” he said.
The Chief Minister said he believes all the issues can be resolved once statehood is restored. “I want to appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to fulfil the promises made to the people in Parliament and in the Supreme Court regarding the restoration of statehood,” he said.
Omar added that all means and ways are open for them to seek the restoration of statehood, but he believes that these issues cannot be resolved or achieved by issuing threats and other measures. “We are still hopeful that the promises will be fulfilled without bloodshed and through other peaceful means,” he said.
While replying to a query, the CM said it would be unfortunate to deny people their right to statehood due to BJP’s defeat here. “The Centre had not promised the restoration of statehood only when BJP came to power. They had promised delimitation, elections, and then statehood. There were no 'ifs' and 'buts,’” he said.
“If we are being forced to include them in the government, then I want to make it clear that statehood is not going to be restored in the next four years. We will not allow BJP to come into power,” he added.
Regarding the reservation issue, the CM Abdullah said that in Wednesday’s cabinet meeting, the Cabinet Sub-Committee submitted its final report, which has been approved by the cabinet. “The Social Welfare Department has been asked to prepare a cabinet memo, which will be sent to the cabinet ministers for necessary actions and subsequently to the Lieutenant Governor for approval. We hope the process will be completed in the next 3–4 days,” he added.
The Chief Minister further said that the alliance between the National Conference and Congress is intact. “There are no differences. I have met the Congress General Secretary in New Delhi and told him that it would be 3 and 1 in the Rajya Sabha elections. The fourth seat for Congress could have helped secure votes from the other legislators,” he said, adding, “The talks with Congress are ongoing regarding the by-elections for the Nagrota and Budgam seats. We are ready to give Congress the Nagrota seat if they have a better candidate.”
Regarding the government’s measures after the floods in Jammu and Kashmir, the CM said that through SDRF and the CM Relief Fund, the government has done everything possible according to the guidelines.
Regarding reconstruction and other issues, Omar said the Centre has sent teams that have assessed the situation. “We are expecting a comprehensive package for J&K to repair the losses, as more than 300 roads were damaged, many bridges collapsed, crops were destroyed, and houses were damaged,” he said.
He said the government is in the process of ensuring 5 marla plots for people under the existing government scheme, for those who lost their houses along with the land. “The process is ongoing, and we expect the papers will reach the cabinet soon. Those who lost their land will receive 5 marlas of land and further assistance for house reconstruction,” he assured.
Moreover, CM Abdullah said the government has sought assistance from the Centre to conduct a survey to identify crowd-prone areas vulnerable to cloudbursts and assess the situation, keeping in view the topography, climate, and other factors, so that the government can stay prepared for the future.
Regarding support from bureaucrats, the CM said it would not have been possible for the government to perform without their support. However, he added, “Not all officers are the same; some are willing to work, and they do, while others choose not to.”
Asked about Mehbooba Mufti’s statement regarding PDP’s support to the NC candidate in the Rajya Sabha elections, the Chief Minister said that Dr Farooq Abdullah had talked to her and sought her party’s support to fight against BJP in the elections. “If the vote is not cast in our favour, then it will benefit BJP, and abstaining from voting is also akin to supporting BJP. However, as far as her conditions are concerned, it is the Speaker who has to decide on the bills. Nobody other than the Speaker can decide on it. Once it comes to the assembly, we will have no issues creating hurdles,” he said.(KNO)