CM acknowledges procedural errors in handling Waqf Act
Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Apr 15: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today hoped that “appropriate time has come” for restoration of the Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
Omar while speaking to reporters after inaugurating a bridge in Pulwama district today said that he had a fruitful meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and hoped that Statehood would be restored soon.
“We think the appropriate time has come, six months have passed since the Assembly elections. Shah came here, I had a separate meeting with him, a good one … I am still hopeful that JK will soon get its Statehood back,” he said.
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Earlier in his address to a gathering, the Chief Minister stated that his Government will work to restore the lost identity of J&K.
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“Statehood is not our destination but a prerequisite to start the process of reclaiming what the people have lost in the last six to seven years. People’s mandate was for restoring their dignity and protecting their identity,” he added.
Omar also contrasted the current administration with the functioning of an elected Government. “As CM of the State, when I asked an engineer to build a bridge, they found a way. Today, UT officials respond with excuses. Shouldn’t our Government have the right to choose its officers, decide which laws apply, and how many officials we need?” he questioned.
On the opposition’s charge that the ruling party scuttled the discussion on Waqf Amendment Act, the Chief Minister said the legislators made a procedural error by moving an adjournment motion on the Waqf Amendment Act, clarifying that such motions can only be admitted for matters under the jurisdiction of the Jammu and Kashmir Government, not laws enacted by the Centre.
“The Speaker made everything clear on the last day. Perhaps, the mistake by the members was that they brought an adjournment motion. An adjournment motion is only brought to discuss the works of the J&K Government because the Government has to respond,” he said.
“Tell me had that adjournment motion been accepted, how would we have responded as the Waqf Bill was not brought by us. It was passed by the Centre in the Parliament,” he said.
Omar said a resolution under different rules in the Assembly might have been admitted.
“However, that has passed now. Many parties including the National Conference have moved to the Supreme Court and put forth their views before the apex court. Now, we will see what the SC says,” he added.
The Chief Minister said his party would enact laws to protect local employment, citing Himachal Pradesh’s reservation of 70% of private sector jobs for locals. “If that’s right for Himachal, why not for J&K? Do our youth not deserve jobs in their own land?” he asked.
He also pledged to ensure locals benefit from the region’s natural resources and promised rights for Gujjar communities under the Forest Rights Act.
Earlier Omar inaugurated the 50 meter-long vital Rohmoo Bridge in Pulwama district, connecting the three districts of Shopian, Kulgam, and Pulwama with Srinagar.
The bridge, constructed at a cost of Rs 25.97 crore by the Public Works (Roads and Buildings) Department under the World Bank-funded Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP), connects over 80,000 residents of several villages including Rohmoo, Mitrigam, Pakherpora, Zagigam, Putrigam, Tujan, Mirgund, Thokerpora, Tilsar, Chrar-e-Sharief, Yusmarg, Kamrazipora and adjoining areas of Pulwama district.
Addressing a large public gathering on the occasion, the Chief Minister stated that with the commissioning of the Rohmoo bridge, a long-pending demand of a large population in South Kashmir has been fulfilled.
He hoped that the bridge will significantly boost connectivity from South Kashmir to Srinagar, particularly to Chrar-e-Sharief, Pakherpora and other areas of Budgam District.
“We will leave no stone unturned in fulfilling the promises and commitments made to the people during elections,” he said.
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