What’s rationale to keep Puducherry, J&K as UTs, asks Omar
Jammu, Jun 15: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has questioned the rationale of keeping places like Puducherry and Jammu and Kashmir as Union Territories and reiterated that there was ìno worse system of governance than a UT with assembly.
His (Omars) question was a response to queries put forth by former Union Law Minister Kapil Sibal on his (Sibals) YouTube channel ìDil Se Kapil Sibal the other day.
Sharing his difficulties being the Chief Minister of a Union Territory, he also delineated how bureaucrats changed tunes as State demoted to UT.
He asserted since he did not wield the stick of transfer in the changed (UT) set-up, they (bureaucrats) would listen to him as per their whims only.
The Chief Minister said that he (during talks with the PM and HM) even offered to step aside for statehood to J&K.
Yet despite all these difficulties and facing all the ridicule, he was trying to work-out a harmonious relationship with the Centre and perform while his hands were tied behind his back.
He believed that strained relations with the Centre would not benefit J&K, which would benefit only by being part of democratic set-up of India.
ìGiven my experience as the Chief Minister (of UT), Iím convinced that there is no worse system of governance than a UT (Union Territory) with an assembly. This (system) is simply cheating with the people. I agree that there are certain places where it is not possible to have an assembly on account of less population or smaller areas like Daman; Diu; Lakshadweep and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. But where assembly is feasible like Pondicherry (Puducherry) and Jammu and Kashmir, tell me ñ what is the rationale behind keeping them as UTs,î CM Omar questioned, while responding to Sibalís questions about governance problems being faced by him (Omar) in UT set-up.
ìYou form the government there but then you tie its hands behind its back,î the Chief Minister added.
Explaining further his difficulties as the Chief Minister of UT, he stated that the bureaucrats would listen to him only if they wished so.
ìToday, the situation is like that I donít have any control over the bureaucrats through whom I have to govern. I have served as the Chief Minister of a State and now Iím the Chief Minister of a UT and Iím able to delineate the difference. I can see this difference clearly with my eyes,î he pointed out.
Elucidating it further, he stated, ìWhen I was the Chief Minister of State, if I directed an officer to do a certain thing, he would tell me ten different ways to accomplish that task. Today when I instruct officers to do a task, they come back with ten reasons why it cannot be done. So, what option I have to get the job done - I can cajole them only. Biggest fear for an officer pertains to transfer and that power is not with me. Therefore, I cannot wield the stick of transfer. That is why they listen to me to a certain extent. Beyond that, if they wish so, they donít listen to me.î
The Chief Minister pointed out there was no system in place through which he could get critical information, pertaining to law and order, formally, even if that related to the departments under his charge.
ìSo, I reiterate that this system is worse; it is unsuccessful and more so for a place like J&K, where there is no semblance of normalcy. Here, resorting to compartmentalization or pigeon-hole is detrimental. You provide all intelligence to LG sahib, while all responsibility pertaining to governance is on the shoulders of the elected government. Tell me, how it will work,î he asked.
CM Omar pointed out that all cabinet decisions were to be ratified by the Lieutenant Governor. ìOnly LG is empowered to transfer All India Service (AIS) officersÖ Despite all these problems, Iím trying to work and perform somehow. Yet I maintain that this system is not good and that is why I want early restoration of statehood,î he said.
Did he talk about this with the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister?
Responding to this question, the Chief Minister said, ìYes, a number of times. I have even told them ñ if they donít want to provide statehood to J&K with me at the helm of affairs, Iím willing to step aside and get replaced with the person of their choice.î
ìThough Iím ridiculed for that yet Iím convinced about two facts - One - having strained relations with the Centre will not benefit J&K. Secondly - Jammu and Kashmir will benefit by being a part of the democratic set-up of India. This is my perspective. Iím making sincere efforts in this direction, However, only time would tell whether this approach of mine benefitted J&K or not,î CM Omar said.
With regard to a question about benefits percolated down to J&K post abrogation of Article 370, the Chief Minister said he too had posed the same question to BJP MLAs in the J&K Legislative Assembly and answer was still awaited.
Omar stated that he was anguished over reprehensible Pahalgam terroristsí attack not because he was the Chief Minister and Tourism Minister of J&K.
ìAnger and pain were there as a human being, given the brutality with which 26 innocent civilians were murdered. And these emotions were justified as we had thought that the era of such ìmassacresî was over. Though J&K never witnessed touristsí killings this way yet in the past 30-35 years of terrorism, it saw incidents of this nature (massacres) at different intervals of time. However, in the past 20 years, we did not witness any such incident and that had led us to think that those days were over. Unfortunately, it happened. Now it does not take place in the future, weíll have to think about that,î Omar said.
He asserted that the terrorism would not end in J&K till the neighbouring nation (Pakistan) continued to send terrorists and facilitate their infiltration to the Indian side.
Responding to a query related to lack of security lapse in Baisaran, the Chief Minister asserted that it was not possible to deploy security personnel everywhere.
ìNone had an inkling about it (attack). 50,000-70,000 tourists had visited that location prior to the attack. None had intimated the elected government or Tourism Department that it (tourist influx) was happening without valid permission and thus it should be stopped,î he said.
ìIdeal situation is that they (terrorists) should be engaged at borders only and should not be allowed to enter this side,î he said.
Was it an intelligence failure?
Confronted by this query, CM Omar said, ìSecurity and Law and Order donít come under the domain of elected government. Had security been the responsibility of the elected government, you could have questioned me. I would have been duty-bound to reply. I presume, the upcoming Parliament session will witness debate on the Pahalgam attack and the MPs will get an opportunity to question the Government of India on it (intelligence lapse).î
Chief Minister stoutly defended his earlier statements post Operation Sindoor that Pakistan initiated and willfully targeted civilian areas in J&K.
ìYes, that was a correct statement. Iíve been to the affected areas. 23 people, including children, men, and women of all religions lost lives. 1200-1300 houses were damaged. Mosques, Gurudwaras and temples were shelled. Poonch city does not have the army which is there along LoC. But Pakistan selectively targeted a civilian area i.e., Poonch city, in response to Operation Sindoor. Similarly, in the Tangdhar area, a particular village inhabited by the minority Sikh population and their houses in particular, were shelled,î he explained.
ìStudying this pattern, what inferences you can draw. I reiterate that the objective of Baisaran attack and shelling post Operation Sindoor by them (Pakistan) was to incite communal riots here,î the Chief Minister opined.
Regarding US President Donald Trumpís claims of mediation to end Indo-Pakistan, he mockingly remarked, ìTrump Sahib did not mind leaving his friend (Elon Musk) in lurch, how can we expect him to remain loyal to us?î
He also gave a detailed account of the impact of Pahalgam attack on J&K economy and tourism, with particular reference to Kashmir.
The Chief Minister reiterated that after the Pahalgam attack, people across J&K, particularly in Kashmir, for the first time, came out of their houses out of their volition to protest against the killings, raising slogans ìNot in my name.î
ìIíve never seen such a spectacle. The people were the drivers of this spontaneous reaction. These protests were not organized by any political party or organization. This spirit should be valued and captured. This opportunity should not be lost and it should be consolidated by listening to peopleís woes and addressing them,î he asserted.
In this context, he praised the Prime Minister that during his recent Katra rally, he (PM) appreciated this spirit of ìKashmiriyat, Insaniyatî wholeheartedly and conveyed what was expected of him as a statesman.
ìHe shared his and the entire nationís agony and support for shelling affected people. That was laudable and warranted,î CM Omar said.
