Srinagar, Jan 02: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday discussed the governance structure in Jammu and Kashmir, emphasising the importance of a single centre of authority for more effective administration.
Speaking at a media interaction under the banner “Engaging Perspectives,” Abdullah stated that the current dual centres of power in Jammu and Kashmir under its Union Territory status present challenges to governance. He advocated for a unified system, ensuring smoother decision-making and execution.
“There is a vast difference between our previous government and this one. I thought working in such circumstances would be difficult, but our start has been quite good,” Omar Abdullah remarked, reflecting on his government’s early days in power.
Addressing the press conference, the Chief Minister acknowledged the difficulties his administration faced while transitioning to governing a Union Territory but noted that the process had been easier than anticipated. “It took us some time to understand how this new system works in Jammu and Kashmir as a Union Territory. It was easier than anticipated. However, there is a sea of difference between this government and the last one I headed,” he said.
Omar Abdullah stressed that restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood was a key promise made by the central government, and he expressed hope that this promise would soon be fulfilled. “We hope that Jammu and Kashmir remaining a Union Territory is just a temporary phase. We also hope that since people here have participated actively in elections, they should receive something in return,” he said.
The Chief Minister further emphasized that his government had already begun fulfilling several electoral promises and was working on others that would require systemic changes. “We stand by the promises we made before the elections, which earned us the mandate to form the government,” he said.
On the issue of reservation, Omar Abdullah highlighted that protecting jobs and land for the people of Jammu and Kashmir was a more pressing concern than addressing reservation policies. “The bigger issue is that our jobs are not ours, and our lands are not ours. We need to save what belongs to us first. Reservation can be addressed later, but protecting our resources must come first,” he stated.
Regarding recent student protests over reservation, Omar reaffirmed the democratic nature of the National Conference, emphasizing that all voices are welcome within the party. “This is a democracy. The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference is very secular and open. We are often labeled as dynasts, but we allow everyone to voice their opinions,” he said. He also expressed support for MP Aga Ruhullah’s involvement in the protests, saying, “We believe that MP Syed Aga Ruhullah Mehdi has done well. Now, in the new Parliament session, I expect our MP to lead the charge along with MPs from other parties to address the issue comprehensively.”
On governance, Omar Abdullah expressed his belief that a dual model of power—such as the one currently existing in Jammu and Kashmir—was less effective than a unified approach. “Dual centres of power are not advantageous. If they were effective, you would see them everywhere,” he explained. He added that effective governance works best when authority lies with a single centre, and Jammu and Kashmir’s current Union Territory status, while challenging, offers an opportunity for learning and improvement. “Authority lies with a single chain of command, and this structure ensures systems work most effectively,” he said.
The Chief Minister also addressed questions regarding his relationship with the Raj Bhavan, dismissing claims of significant tensions. “The differences have not been as significant as some reports suggest. Such speculations are baseless,” he remarked. He also mentioned that business rules for the government would be formulated after extensive consultations and submitted to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for review.
Omar Abdullah also touched on the region’s financial challenges, stating that Jammu and Kashmir’s deficit budget leaves the region more dependent on the central government than other states and Union Territories. He reiterated that neither the Prime Minister nor the Home Minister had sought to influence his government. “From the first day, the PM and the HM have told me that you have been given the mandate and we are in the opposition, there will be no effort made to destabilise this government,” he said.
On the issue of leaseholders and land policy, the Chief Minister confirmed that the government was working on a policy to address the expiration of leases, including for hoteliers in Gulmarg and Pahalgam, as well as those affected by the Roshni scheme.
Regarding public holidays, Omar Abdullah responded to concerns about the omission of certain holidays from the 2025 General Administration Department (GAD) holiday list. “The martyrs of 13th July and Sheikh Abdullah do not need a holiday to remember their legacy. Nearly everything we do is part of a larger plan to pay tribute to them,” he remarked.
Omar Abdullah concluded by reaffirming the National Conference’s commitment to its manifesto, which includes promises related to statehood, special status, constitutional guarantees, and reversing the winter school zone policy. “Some of our promises include resolutions for statehood, special status, constitutional guarantees, and reversing the winter school zone policy,” he said. He emphasized that increasing power supply would be the government’s first priority, with a full report on progress expected after the first 100 days. “Public participation in governance has grown, and we will provide a full report after the first 100 days,” he added.
In a final comment on the Kashmir issue, Omar Abdullah took a swipe at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), stating, “Even if we accept that the status of Jammu and Kashmir has been permanently resolved, the fact remains that a part of Jammu and Kashmir lies on the other side of the border. When the BJP claims the Kashmir issue is resolved, does it mean they believe the issue on the other side of the border is also resolved? Clearly, it hasn’t. The Kashmir issue still exists, whether on this side of the border or the other.”
Reflecting on his past relationship with the media, Omar Abdullah admitted that he had not held as many interactions as he should have. “I have paid the price of not having frequent interactions with the media. I will continue to have freewheeling interactions twice a year, without an agenda,” he concluded.
