UT Foundation Day not an occasion to celebrate: Dy CM

Jammu, Oct 31: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary Thursday stated that UT Foundation Day was not an occasion to celebrate as his party National Conference (NC) never accepted it and hence desired early statehood.

He said that restoration of statehood (to J&K) would call for celebrations.

“We just pray – May this festival of Diwali bring happiness, peace for all in J&K. We hope that J&K, before next Diwali, will be a full-fledged state,” he said while speaking to the media persons here.

When his comment was elicited on UT Day celebrations, Choudhary said “We have never accepted J&K as a Union Territory (UT). For us, it is a state; we are part of the (J&K) state. There is nothing to ask about it (UT celebration). We have never owned it (UT). We are seeking statehood. We will not extend greetings for UT (Day). For the people of J&K, the status of Union Territory is a deception. For us, UT (Day) is not an occasion to celebrate.”

“However, since it is an auspicious occasion of Diwali, we extend greetings to people, wishing that it (the festival) brings them abundant joy. We also hope that the Delhi (central) government will give statehood to J&K before the next Diwali. We hope that it (Centre) will present this gift (statehood) to us as early as possible - by December this year or at least by January next year. We want to get rid of UT (status) and want our full-fledged state,” the Deputy Chief Minister said.

Responding to a question about the National Conference’s decision to boycott the UT Day celebration, he stated, “NC has made sacrifices and has always defended J&K. It strived to protect J&K and its interests. It significantly contributed to strengthening the freedom movement of India. We will celebrate when J&K becomes a full-fledged state.”

“We have been able to infuse accountability among government officers and bureaucrats. It was not there during the Governor's rule,” he said while answering a separate query.

The Deputy Chief Minister ridiculed the statements attributed to BJP leaders that the J&K government had no power to make big decisions. “This is not true. This may be partly true in the case of certain issues but on the whole, our government is taking decisions and is capable of performing. We have powers as an elected government. If we don’t have powers, BJP MLAs too sail in the same boat, they should remember that,” he said.

“We believe in the commitments made by the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister on several occasions, including on the floor of the Parliament and in public rallies. We believe it (statehood) happens as early as possible to end the state of confusion,” he said.

Regarding Jammu traders’ demand for early restoration of Darbar Move, the Deputy Chief Minister said, “I don’t think that this issue (Darbar Move) perturbs them (Jammu traders). Had it been so, they would have voted for us. But the (election) results in Jammu depicted that they were not bothered about it. Nevertheless, it (restoration of Darbar Move) will happen as NC leadership - both Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, have committed to it. It will happen because NC cares for Jammu’s sentiments. It knows that halting Darbar Move practice has hurt Jammu’s economy.”

He said that it won’t be possible to fully restore the Darbar Move practice this year.

“But next year, it will be fully restored as it boosts the economy of the region. The tradition was started by Maharaja and not NC to protect the interests of both regions. It (Darbar Move) helps bolster interests of the trading community, businessmen and small shopkeepers in Jammu as it is not possible to provide government jobs to all,” Choudhary said.

“Rest assured NC will fulfil all its commitments made in its manifesto, including regularisation of daily wagers. But you should ask similar questions to BJP leaders as they were in power during the last ten years,” the Deputy Chief Minister said.