By Tehelka Web Bureau
Srinagar, Sep 25: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday moved a resolution in the Legislative Assembly seeking the complete restoration of statehood to the Union Territory.
Speaking in the House, Omar said the commitment made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on statehood should have been implemented.
“PM Modi earlier said that it was “Modi Ka Wada,” which means it was extraordinary from a normal promise. If it was Modi Ka Wada, then it should have got implemented as well,” Omar said.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the administrative implications of Jammu and Kashmir continuing to remain a Union Territory, citing the functioning of the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS).
“The implications of not having statehood is that files of SKIMS, one of our premium healthcare institutes, do not come to us,” he said.
Omar said Health Minister Sakina Itoo was unable to take decisions on matters concerning SKIMS, while the Finance Department allocated funds to the institute without having control over their subsequent utilisation.
“I, as Finance Minister, give them the budget, but how that money is spent, we don’t know,” he said.
The Chief Minister sought a detailed discussion on the resolution, saying restoration of statehood was a common concern cutting across party lines.
The resolution, however, triggered an uproar in the House, with members from both the ruling benches and the opposition raising slogans.
BJP members accused the government of “befooling” the people of Jammu and Kashmir, while National Conference and Congress members responded with slogans including “Sada Haq Ithey Rakh”.
NC members also raised slogans demanding restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status.
The protests escalated after a majority of BJP legislators entered the Well of the House, leading to a noisy confrontation.
Amid the continued ruckus, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather adjourned the House for half an hour.
