• CM to proceed to New Delhi for talks with Centre soon
• Beginning of healing process’: Govt
• First assembly session scheduled for Nov 4
Srinagar, Oct 19: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday cleared a resolution passed by Chief minister Omar Abdullah-led cabinet urging the Union government to restore statehood to the Union territory.
The resolution was passed unanimously during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday, and it urges the Union Government to reinstate statehood “in its original form.”
Following the meeting, the resolution was submitted to LG Sinha for approval, in accordance with Union Territory procedures, where all Cabinet notes must be cleared by the Lieutenant Governor.
A senior officer at J&K administration confirmed that LG Sinha has given his nod to the resolution passed by Omar Abdullah’s Cabinet, urging the Centre to reinstate J&K’s statehood.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, in a statement on X (formerly Twitter), highlighted that, “Article 370 is the purview of the legislature, while statehood is the purview of the government. Hence, the statehood resolution has come first.” He is expected to travel to New Delhi in the coming days to meet with the Prime Minister and other Union ministers to discuss the matter.
“The restoration of statehood will be a beginning of a healing process, reclaiming the constitutional rights and protecting the identity of people of Jammu and Kashmir. The cabinet has authorised the chief minister to take up the matter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Government of India for restoration of statehood,” the spokesperson added.
The spokesman further said that the Cabinet has authorised the Chief Minister to take up the matter with the Prime Minister and 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,” he added.
The Cabinet also decided to convene the Legislative Assembly in Srinagar on November 4, 2024, and urged LG Sinha to summon and address the Assembly. The draft of the Lieutenant Governor’s address was reviewed by the Council of Ministers, who agreed to further discuss and refine it.
The government spokesman said that the Council also made a recommendation to the LG for appointment of Mubarik Gul as Protem Speaker who will administer oath to the elected members of the Legislative Assembly on 21st October 2024.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor subsequently has issued the order of appointing Mubarik Gul as Protem Speaker till the election of the Speaker is held.
