Productive top level meetings
Productive meetings between the top leadership of the elected government of Jammu and Kashmir and central government are very important for better understanding, coordination and cooperation. This can pave way for smooth and result oriented functioning of the government in Jammu and Kashmir. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah met Union Home Minister Amit Shah again in New Delhi on February 10. This was the third meeting between them since Omar took over as the Chief Minister nearly four months back. Omar told media that restoration of statehood, security scenario in J&K, governance matters and the coming budget session of the J&K assembly were among other things which came under discussion during the meeting. He described the discussion as detailed and productive.
It is being hoped that such meetings will help the J&K government and centre to deliver on the promises they are making with the people of Jammu and Kashmir for their welfare, development and other issues. Some media reports say that the business rules defining the powers of Chief Minister, his Council of Ministers and administrative secretaries will be finalised and released soon. Since Jammu and Kashmir is a union territory with two power centres, Raj Bhawan and Chief Minister's office, business rules are required for smooth functioning without any confusion. The security, law and order and All Indian Services are with the Lieutenant Governor. While the elected government has been demanding restoration of statehood from day one, it has now started demanding some kind of say in the matters related to security and law and order also. According to ruling party leaders the involvement of their government in such matters is important since it has been elected by the people.
It is being expected that after the business rules are framed, the elected government works effectively within its jurisdiction. Presently, the ruling party leaders are complaining that their government is unable to perform properly in absence of the business rules. If the scenario remains same, this can hit the credibility of the elected government. Time for delivering in real sense has already begun. People want solution of their issues on various fronts. The NC government with whatever resources available has to make a serious beginning. The crucial budget session of the assembly is beginning on March 3 and opposition is getting ready to corner the treasury benches over "the lack of visible change on the ground." The NC leaders say that four months is a very small time to make some solid change on the ground and that too when even business rules are not there. However, they agree that the government has to make an impact from near future since people have lot of expectations from it. The leaders say that they want their government to perform, not only because they do not want to get punished by people in assembly polls but also because they have made a commitment with masses to solve their problems.
Among other things the recent Delhi assembly poll results again indicated that people overthrow governments if they do not perform on promised lines. Infighting within the opposition parties' Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A) could have been also a reason for the BJP's victory but that was not the only reason. NC government will have to focus on its working. After his initial reaction on the debacle of I.N.D.I.A bloc in Delhi, Omar Abdullah preferred not to comment on the issue while talking to media after his recent meeting with the Home Minister.
The loss of I.N.D.I.A bloc in Delhi polls will be having no impact in Jammu and Kashmir. This is also because NC government is in power on its own. The ruling party has the majority with the support of a few independent MLAs. Congress too is supporting the government from outside but even without this support, NC has the required majority. NC government's immediate task is to perform and not to take any unnecessary confrontation with the central government.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah despite his strong wish for statehood and more powers, too wants a strong bridge with the central government. Unlike his tenure from 2009 to 2014, his present term is more challenging since J&K is not a state now and dual power centres are presently working. The lack of powers is an issue for him and his ministers. Even the MLAs are unhappy over they not getting the due protocol at official level and not being so empowered as they used to be in the past. The government recently issued orders to address their grievances and the concerned officers were given necessary directions in this connection. To what extent these directives prove effective is to be seen; more importantly, after the municipal and panchayat elections are held. These polls are expected to be conducted sometime after the winter this year.
Author is senior editor Greater Kashmir
