Minister Satish Sharma urges Centre to deliver on 6-year-old statehood restoration promise

Srinagar, Oct 19: In a forceful assertion of Jammu and Kashmir’s demand for statehood restoration, Cabinet Minister Satish Sharma Saturday called on the Centre to fulfil its long-standing promise, revealing that the new cabinet has already passed a resolution supporting Jammu and Kashmir’s return to statehood.

“Statehood restoration is our manifesto commitment. We became MLAs and ministers on the plank of statehood restoration,” Sharma declared, highlighting that the demand was a priority item in the cabinet's first meeting.

“Whether it is Kashmir, Jammu, Chenab Valley, or Pir Panjal region, it is our legitimate right,” Sharma told media persons here.

The minister expressed dismay over the Centre’s repeated assurances without concrete action.

“For 6 years, the Centre has been saying that statehood will be restored soon. When will this ‘soon’ come? It has already been more than 6 years,” Sharma said. “All drums were played when the State was taken away. We will celebrate even more when we get statehood back.”

Sharma has been assigned the charge of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Transport, Science and Technology, Information Technology, Youth Services and Sports, and ARI and Trainings.

Emphasising the widespread public support for statehood, Sharma invoked the popular sentiment: “The voice of people is the voice of God. The entire population of J&K wants this. I think the Centre will consider this and fulfil people’s demands.”

Sharma, who holds the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs portfolio, addressed concerns about insufficient ration quotas in both regions of J&K.

He outlined plans for a phased enhancement of the ration quota, following Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s directive to address public demands.

“We acknowledge that the current quota is insufficient,” Sharma said. “As per the instructions of Chief Minister Omar Sahab, we will address people’s needs. We will review the situation with concerned officers, seek central assistance, and implement increases in a phased manner.”

The minister said that the matter would be taken up in an upcoming cabinet meeting, emphasising the government’s commitment to finding practical solutions.

“There is nothing above the cabinet. Together with the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, and our colleagues, we will work on this election manifesto commitment,” he said.