Centre sanctions additional 300 MWs of power
Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Nov 8: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said that people found their voice after the passage of the resolution on special status of Jammu and Kashmir by the Assembly.
“After its passage, I am happy that people have found their voice and they are able to talk,” he said while speaking on the vote of thanks to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s address.
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“We felt suffocated and thought we wouldn’t be able to talk. It seems that the burden is off the shoulders of the people. I have seen people who had forgotten their pens and keyboards find their footing again. They are feeling free enough to express themselves,” he said.
The Chief Minister reflected on the political and Constitutional losses the J&K has faced in the past six years, but stated that despite these challenges, his Government remains focused on securing a better future for the people of J&K.
“We have lost a lot in the last six years. When I was last in this House, we were a State, we had our own Constitution, and our flag. But all of that was taken away from us. It will remain in my mind, but at the same time, sitting in this chair, I will not let a single day go to waste. I will work tirelessly for the people of J&K,” he said.
Omar acknowledged the historic nature of the current session, despite its brief duration, and expressed gratitude to the electorate for voting for change. “This Government is for the people of J&K, regardless of their party affiliation. This Government is for everyone,” he said, emphasizing the need for inclusivity in governance.
The Chief Minister remarked that the first session of the Assembly is short in duration but historic in terms of agenda.
“I have got an opportunity to talk like this in the House after a long time. In March 2014, I spoke on the Governor’s address as Chief Minister and in 2018 as the opposition. So much has changed since then and we have lost a lot. When I think about it, I cannot believe it,” he added.
On rising militant attacks in J&K after the formation of his Government on October 16, Omar highlighted the importance of a peaceful atmosphere. “If there is no peace, it becomes impossible to work on other things so it is our responsibility to help in keeping things peaceful. Two ways peace can be brought – through arrests and other such measures and second through making people partners in peace,” he added.
“Unfortunately, we don’t have powers over these things, but I have told the senior officers that there should be a mechanism where we can ensure the safety of the forces while not putting people to unease,” he added.
The Chief Minister strongly batted for the restoration of Statehood to J&K. “This is not the Assembly that we want…we want a full fledged Assembly, the one promised by the Prime Minister,” he said.
In order to mitigate the power crisis in J&K, Omar told The House that the Centre has sanctioned an additional 300 megawatt of electricity.
Hitting at his critics, the Chief Minister said some people made fun of my Delhi visit recently. “But it is fine with me as I want to get things done that will benefit people. I met the Power Minister and he sanctioned 300 MW additional power to us so that we can reduce the electricity cuts,” he said.
Omar said he also met the Union Surface Transport Minister, who will announce projects when he visits J&K.
“For the time being, he has sanctioned additional funds from the budget for constructing bridges,” he said, adding that the existing Legislature is what people wanted in terms of power.
“This is not the Assembly that we want but this Assembly is the way to the Assembly we want. We want a full-fledged Assembly and the Prime Minister has made a commitment on this. My meetings with the Prime Minister and the Home Minister were successful…. I am hopeful that the process of restoration of statehood will start soon,” he said.
Addressing the contentious issue of elections and Government formation, Omar referred to the skepticism surrounding the electoral process. “There were many who said elections would never happen. There were people who claimed they would not allow elections. But by God’s will, the elections took place, and the Government was formed,” he said.
The Chief Minister expressed his disappointment with their actions during the Assembly proceedings. “We wanted every member to stay here and engage in meaningful discussions, especially on issues like the restoration of Statehood and Constitutional guarantees. But the opposition turned this into a drama, abandoning the session midway,” he stated.
Omar rejected the idea that the NC’s resolution on special status was a compromise. “The resolution we brought forward is not a compromise-it is a legitimate effort to restore what was taken from us,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that the resolution was drafted in a way so that Centre doesn’t trash it or send it to the dustbin. “Today, Home Minister (Amit Shah) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior Ministers of Government of India are talking about it. If this resolution would have been weak, why would the PM, HM and others mention it. The fact is that this Assembly has passed a historic resolution that would open doors not close the doors,” he said.
Omar said that he doesn’t expect much from the present Government at the Centre. “The roadmap is there for the next Government be it us or other party,” he said
The Chief Minister highlighted the restoration of freedom of speech and thanked his Government for addressing some of the concerns raised by the public, including reforms in the student examination process and recruitment opportunities. “Our agenda will not be set by WhatsApp or Facebook, but by the people of Kashmir,” he asserted.
On other local issues, Omar expressed concern over the difficulties faced by people on highways and the CID verification process. “The Government must look into those who do not have serious charges against them and review their cases,” he said.
“Our election promises remain intact, and we will work to fulfill them. The LG’s address may have been a short roadmap, but we will continue to work towards our long-term goals,” he concluded.
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