CM Omar likely to meet Home Minister on statehood restoration today

Srinagar, Dec 17: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is expected to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday to discuss a range of key issues, including the early restoration of statehood, official sources said.

This would be his second meeting with the Home Minister since assuming office as the Chief Minister.

Sources said that CM Omar, who received “positive assurances” during his first meeting, has been optimistic that the Centre would fulfil its promise of restoring statehood at the earliest.

However, while the Centre has repeatedly assured its commitment to the restoration of statehood, it has yet to provide a concrete timeline for the same.

In addition to statehood, CM Omar is likely to raise concerns regarding administrative issues of dual control during his meeting with the Home Minister.

Even after more than two months in power, J&K is without the Transaction of Business Rules (TBR) that would delineate the powers of the elected government and its power over various departments and administrative matters.

The absence of business rules is creating friction between Omar Abdullah-led elected government and the Lieutenant governor-led administration.