* Transfers of 48 officers, restoration of Statehood likely on agenda
Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Apr 3: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has convened a crucial meeting of legislators of the ruling alliance tomorrow here.
The meeting is likely to discuss the alliance’s response over the recent transfer of 48 officers of J&K Administrative Service (JKAS) by the Lieutenant Governor and “delay” in restoration of Statehood.
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National Conference chief whip Mubarak Gul today informed party MLAs that the Chief Minister would chair an important meeting of MLAs of the ruling alliance on Friday at Deputy Chief Minister’s Fairview residence here.
“Keeping in view the importance of the meeting, all the members are requested to kindly make it convenient to attend the meeting on the aforesaid date, time and venue,” read the notice.
An NC leader said the meeting has been convened to discuss recent transfers of 48 JKAS officers by the LG. He said that the meeting was called as the leaders of the NC and its alliance partners described the transfers by the LG’s move as encroaching on the mandate of the elected Government.
He further said the Chief Minister is upset over the move, perceiving it trespass in the domain of elected Government.
He said the issue of restoration of Statehood is also likely to come up for discussions during the meeting.
“The Waqf bill and ongoing session of J&K Assembly can also be discussed,” he said
On the meeting, the NC spokesman and MLA Tanvir Sadiq said that the elected Government should be allowed to function without interference and emphasised that no one has the right to disregard this mandate.
“We demand that the elected Government be allowed to function without interference. As for the agenda of the meeting, it will be clarified tomorrow,” he added.
The spokesman said that the Prime Minister Narendera Modi and other Central leaders in Delhi have praised the mandate of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
On April 1, the LG ordered posting of 48 JKAS officers as Additional Deputy Commissioners, Sub- Divisional Magistrates and Assistant Commissioners Revenue.
Minister Sakina Itoo told reporters here that it is a routine meeting during which the Chief Minister discusses issues with legislators.
“There will be a general meeting tomorrow. There are usually meetings in which our leader, Omar Abdullah, discusses matters with his colleagues. So, this is one part of it. There have already been a few meetings and there is yet another meeting,” she said.
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