Statehood to be restored: Dr Farooq Abdullah

Jammu, Dec 10: National Conference President and the former Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah Tuesday exuded confidence that statehood would be restored and there would be only one power centre in J&K.

When asked about the “dual power centre” issue being raked up, NC President asserted, “No such (dual power centre) system would work here. Statehood will be restored and there will be only one power (centre) here.”

“Statehood will definitely be restored as this is the promise made by the Government of India before the Supreme Court. As the commitment made to the Supreme Court regarding conduct of elections was honoured, the statehood promise too will have to be fulfilled,” he said, while responding to the media queries in Kathua.

ON ROHINGYAS’ ISSUE

Farooq reiterated his earlier stance on Rohingyas’ issue in Jammu.

“Government of India has sent refugees here. We have not brought them here. They (Centre) have settled them here. This is our duty that as long as they are here as refugees, they should be provided with water and power facilities,” former Chief Minister reiterated.

ON BANGLADESH

With regard to a question about protests by BJP, RSS and other Hindutva organisations against atrocities on minorities in Bangladesh, he retorted, “I don’t know why they are protesting. But what they are saying – comes in the domain of the Government of India. It (Centre) should see to it. It is their (RSS’) government and they should look into it.”

ON POWER CRISIS IN KASHMIR

In response to a question about increased power-cuts in the Valley, the former Chief Minister said, “See there is water deficit due to scarce rain and snow, imperative for power generation. Still all efforts are being made to devise power-cut schedules in a way that causes minimum inconvenience to people.”

He refused to answer queries about Iltija Mufti’s statement on Hindutva.

On the issue of concerns about Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), Farooq stated that this was not a recent issue. “Questions have been raised since they (EVMs) have come into being. It is necessary to take steps to restore and bolster people’s trust in them.”

Answering queries about youth’s protest and lack of job opportunities, he stated, “J&K is confronting unemployment as its major problem. Our educated youth are unemployed as even existing posts have not been filled up. We have trained teachers, medical and para medical staff available but they have not been employed and that’s why our schools, colleges and hospitals are facing acute shortage of staff and people are suffering. But now a new government is in place, it is making all out efforts to set things right.”

In response to another question, the former Chief Minister stressed the need to preserve forests to avoid failure of crops and deficit of rain and snow. “This is our collective responsibility and not that of the government only,” he said.

Earlier, on Monday, Farooq had reiterated the new government’s promise to restore Darbar Move tradition. He also picked holes in the functioning of Jammu Smart City project authorities.