Statehood restoration issue: Omar Abdullah likely to meet Amit Shah tomorrow

Srinagar, Dec 17: Jammu and Kashmir 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 will be Omar’s second meeting with the Home Minister since assuming office as the Chief Minister of the Union Territory.

Sources indicate that Omar, who received “positive assurances” during his first meeting, has been optimistic that the Union Government will fulfill its promise of restoring statehood at the earliest.

However, while the Union Government 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, 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, the Jammu and Kashmir 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 the Business rules is creating a friction between Omar Abdullah-led elected government and the Lieutenant Governor -led administration. (KDC)