Our Govt is of every J&K citizen: CM Omar

Jammu, Dec 11: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Wednesday said that the government he leads is the government of every citizen of Jammu and Kashmir and reaffirmed his commitment to restoring the Darbar Move.

During an extensive interaction with members of Jammu’s civil society at his official residence at Wazarat Road in Jammu, the CM reiterated that his government represents all citizens of Jammu and Kashmir, regardless of their political affiliations.

“This government is not just for those who voted for the National Conference; it is the government of every citizen of J&K. Despite attempts by some to play with the emotions of Jammu after the elections and harping on the issue of regional divide, we have consistently prioritised inclusivity and equity,” he said addressing concerns of regional bias.

Regarding the concerns regarding the Darbar Move, CM Omar reaffirmed his government’s commitment to restoring this biannual administrative tradition.

“Some things cannot be weighed merely in financial terms. The Darbar Move symbolises the unity and inclusivity of J&K. It is a tradition that ensures governance remains accessible to both regions,” he said.

The CM dismissed financial arguments against this 150-year-old practice which had now been stopped, saying, “The role of the government is not to focus solely on profit. Our responsibility is to serve and ensure balanced development across regions. Ending the Darbar Move would only alienate the people of the two regions from one another and harm the collective unity we strive to preserve.”

He expressed concern over Jammu’s limited share of the burgeoning tourism industry and laid out plans to diversify the region’s economy.

“Over 1 crore yatris visit Mata Vaishno Devi shrine annually, but we have yet to tap into even 15 percent of this potential to promote tourism in Jammu. If we can redirect a fraction of these yatris, Jammu’s economy can transform,” CM Omar said.

He announced plans to establish a craft and culture fair modeled on the Surajkund Mela, to showcase the region’s rich heritage and boost tourism.

“The initiative will involve collaboration between industries, farmers, cultural representatives, and tourism stakeholders,” the CM said.

He highlighted several key issues raised during the interaction and outlined his government’s commitment to addressing them.

CM Omar said that Smart City projects were nearing completion and there was no scope for this government to do any course correction but we shall take new initiatives for Jammu and Srinagar, which aim to modernise the city’s infrastructure and enhance its livability.

He said that the government would resolve the shortage of Punjabi teachers in schools catering to Sikh children and address some of their genuine concerns.

Acknowledging the challenges faced by the Kashmiri Pandit community, the CM said, “While their return depends on restoring a sense of security among the community, we are committed to improving their living conditions and addressing their grievances.”

He emphasised the need for regular dialogue with civil society to maintain a pulse on ground realities.

“Unlike in the past, when such meetings were convened only during crises, I commit to holding biannual interactions—twice each in both the regions of Kashmir and Jammu,” CM Omar said. “Our goal is to maintain a continuous dialogue with you. By our next meeting, we will present an action-taken report outlining the progress on issues discussed today.”

He thanked the participants for accepting his invitation, emphasising the significance of such meetings for the government authorities to receive valuable feedback from outside the four walls of their offices.

“Whether you benefit from these meetings or not, my colleagues and I certainly do. These interactions provide us with an opportunity to hear your thoughts on our work and governance directly,” the CM said.

In his closing remarks, he thanked the participants for their valuable insights and suggestions.

“Your feedback and ground realities help us improve our governance. I hope that when we meet again, you will continue to provide your constructive input to guide us in serving Jammu and Kashmir better,” CM Omar said.

This marked his first meeting with Jammu’s civil society since assuming office as CM.

A similar interaction was held on October 30 this year with civil society representatives in Kashmir.

The interaction was also attended and addressed by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, Ministers Sakeena Itoo, Javed Ahmad Rana, Satish Sharma, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani.

Senior officials from the civil and Police administration were also present during the outreach session.

The event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives of women’s organisations, non-governmental organisations, ex-servicemen, Kashmiri Pandits, traders, hoteliers, tourism players, transport associations, religious leaders, pensioners, senior folk singers, Sikh representatives, RTI activists, and leaders from various political parties.

On the occasion, the civil society members hailed the initiative and termed it as a step towards transparent and inclusive governance, and said the much needed interaction has set the tone for fostering stronger ties between the government and the people it serves.