Srinagar, Jan 28: Stating that the government’s primary focus is addressing the most urgent needs of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday emphasized that from the very beginning, the administration has been transparent about the limitations imposed by the current political and constitutional framework.
In an interview with a TV channel, Omar said, “We made it clear from the outset what could and couldn’t be achieved under the current Union Territory setup. The people understand these limitations, and our focus remains on tackling their immediate needs.”
Asked about the significance of the first 100 days in office, Omar explained that the first 100 days are only the beginning of a much larger journey. He added that the unique challenges of functioning as a Union Territory, as opposed to a full-fledged state, present hurdles for governance.
“While we’ve made significant progress, no government should ever be satisfied with its achievements. There’s always more to do, and we remain committed to further progress in the months ahead,” he added.
Addressing concerns about the dual control system under the Union Territory framework, Omar acknowledged that it adds complexity to decision-making. “Decisions involving IAS and IPS officers are controlled by the LG and Delhi, while the state government has authority only over JKAS officers. Even cabinet decisions need the LG’s approval, which creates additional bureaucratic hurdles,” he said.
When asked about steps taken to ensure effective coordination between the government and bureaucracy, Omar stated that his administration has been working to foster collaboration among elected representatives, ministers, and officers. “Our priority is to deliver on the promises we made to the people, and we are aligning our policies accordingly,” he said.
Regarding pre-election promises, Omar admitted that some, like the restoration of statehood, require long-term efforts. “While certain promises depend on J&K regaining its statehood, others can be fulfilled within the Union Territory framework. We are actively working on these areas and will provide updates in the upcoming budget,” he said.
Omar further spoke about resolutions passed by his cabinet and assembly, highlighting the importance of the first cabinet resolution, which focused on restoring statehood, and the first assembly resolution, which laid the groundwork for future political dialogue. “Both resolutions were strategic steps, and the fact that they weren’t outrightly rejected by Delhi is, in itself, a success,” he said.
When asked about criticism from the opposition over the resolution on special status, Omar responded that passing resolutions that aren’t dismissed outright requires political wisdom. “While opposition leaders may criticize publicly, many privately acknowledge our strategic approach,” he said.
Regarding the restoration of J&K’s special status, Omar stressed that the government must be realistic. “Those who took away special status are unlikely to return it easily. This will require patience and a well-thought-out strategy. Political changes at the national level could create an opportunity to revisit this issue,” he said.
On the financial situation of J&K, Omar, who also serves as Finance Minister, acknowledged that the state’s treasury is in a precarious state. “The financial challenges we face are not new; they stem from the last 30-35 years of difficulties in J&K. While the central government has extended significant support, they have assured me that they will provide even more assistance to our elected government than they did to the previous non-elected administration. However, we also need to demonstrate that we are capable of standing on our own,” he said.
Responding to queries about potential tax increases due to financial constraints, Omar firmly dismissed this possibility, stating, “We will not impose our challenges on the people overnight. That would be unjust. If the previous non-elected LG administration didn’t take harsh actions, why should an elected government, which derives its mandate from the people, do so? We will address these issues with care and ensure that our budget is balanced while meeting the responsibilities of governance.”
Regarding the upcoming state budget, Omar said it would aim to strike a balance between fulfilling the government’s responsibilities and addressing public expectations. “While I cannot provide specifics at this stage, I assure you that the process will be fair and considerate of the public’s interests,” he added.
He also pointed out the issue of underutilization of funds, which was affected by the consecutive elections and the model code of conduct. Efforts are being made to accelerate work in the final quarter, with input from the MLAs to prioritize key areas.
On the security situation in J&K, Omar acknowledged the efforts of security forces to maintain peace, but emphasized the importance of local cooperation for achieving lasting stability. He also stressed the need to address the root causes of conflict in the region.
When asked about the issue of daily wage workers and their regularization, Omar reflected on the challenges faced during his previous tenure. “Had it not been for the floods during my previous government’s tenure, we would have been able to resolve this matter. The numbers and the procedure for regularization were already established, but progress was delayed due to unforeseen events. Now, we must approach the situation differently. The first step will be to assess the total number of daily wage workers, verify their locations, and confirm they are genuinely fulfilling their duties. Once this information is collected, the regularization process can resume,” he said, adding that fairness and accuracy in the process are paramount.
Speaking about his party’s relationship with the central government, Omar emphasized that while the National Conference seeks to work collaboratively with the central government, it will not compromise on the interests of the people of J&K. “We will continue to raise concerns regarding policies that adversely affect J&K,” he said.
