CM Omar hits back over governance jab
Srinagar, Oct 31: Hours after Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, while speaking at an event at Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar, said that the absence of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir cannot be used as an excuse for “underperformance” since the elected government had all the powers, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah hit back, saying those giving advice should “first follow it themselves.”
Speaking at the inauguration of the long-delayed Noor Jahan Bridge at Qamarwari here, CM Omar, without naming the LG, said, “It is very easy to give advice. Today, a responsible person advised me not to fool people in the name of Union Territory and statehood, but to do my own work.”
Referring to the prevailing situation in Kashmir, he said, “There is unemployment, a shortage of GST earnings, our hotels and restaurants are empty, our handicrafts are not being sold, and our taxis and houseboats are vacant. Why? Because there was an attack in Pahalgam in which 26 of our visitors lost their lives, not me. Who is responsible for the security here?”
The CM pointed out that under the Union Territory setup, the responsibility for law and order and security lies with the Lieutenant Governor’s administration.
“When I was Chief Minister of J&K as a state in my last tenure, Nasir (Aslam Wani) was my MoS Home, Mubarak Gul was my Advisor, not a single tourist was attacked,” he said. “If it were in my hands, we would have never let this happen in J&K.”
Responding to the Union Home Minister’s repeated assertion that J&K would get statehood at an “appropriate time,” CM Omar said, “We have been told to wait for elections, that after the election, statehood will be restored. Fine, I am ready to wait, but at least tell me, how do we measure the right time? What is the best way to know when that time comes? As a chief minister, I should know what the goal is, and when J&K will finally get back its statehood. Tell us what the appropriate time is. Tell me, when will we reach that so-called ‘right time’ to get Jammu and Kashmir out of this mess?”
He said that employees were being removed from their jobs without even being heard, and people’s businesses were being targeted at the signal of a single person.
“Homes are being taken away. Is this the justice we were promised?” the CM said.
He said that the advice to “do some work” ignored the challenges faced by an elected government working without administrative support.
“Look around you,” CM Omar told the gathering. “In 2012, when the foundation for this bridge was laid, the Divisional Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner (DC), Additional DC, SSP, IGP Kashmir, Commissioner Secretary R&B, and other senior officers stood here. Today, show me one senior officer present. The JKAS officers willing to work with us are being sent to Ladakh. Those who cooperate with the government are transferred overnight.”
He said that despite such hurdles, his government continued to deliver.
“Despite all these difficulties you put in our way, we are doing our job. It is not easy to work with the present officers,” the CM said.
He referred to the bridge as a reminder of unfulfilled promises.
“Fourteen years ago, we started work on this bridge, but the work stopped. It feels as if some people had kept this bridge for us so that when the National Conference returns to power, the same bridge will be inaugurated again. This bridge is proof that those who said Article 370 was a hurdle in development have given us nothing but lies. The work we left in 2014, whether bridges, roads, hospitals, or schools, is still incomplete,” CM Omar said.
He cited questions raised by NC Minister Sakina Itoo in the Assembly, saying degree colleges announced years ago had not been built, and land identified for playgrounds and shopping complexes remained undeveloped.
“And then we are told: ‘Don’t fool people, do your work,’” the CM said.
He also questioned the administration’s financial management.
“Where is the money that came for flood relief, for the flood channel, for the World Bank project? We thought the financial situation would improve, but the treasury remains the same,” CM Omar said.
He said that despite limited resources, his government had enhanced pensions, increased marriage assistance, and offered free rides for women on SRTC and e-buses.
“We have never made excuses for the situation,” the CM said. “But tell us, what have you done to save Srinagar from floods? If Allah had not saved us this year, the situation would have been like 2014.”
