Why Darbar Move issue not raised during elections: CM Omar

Jammu, Dec 11: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Wednesday yet again wondered why the issue of (restoration of) Darbar Move was not raked up or figured during elections.

“Yes, we did deliberate on the Darbar issue during the meeting. That is an issue. I failed to understand why this issue did not figure during the elections. The Darbar Move was raked up only after the elections. However, in our manifesto and during meetings, we have promised to restore the Darbar move. Jammu has its own importance and significance. We will not allow it to fade away,” he said responding to the media queries after his extensive interaction with members of Jammu’s civil society, including traders, industrialists and transporters at his official residence in Jammu.

In response to questions about the issues deliberated during the meeting and the rationale behind convening it, CM Omar said, “The idea behind it (meeting) is to get unadulterated feedback about the decisions taken by the government and their impact on the people.”

“This is impossible that we, who are presently holding the reins of power, can get information about all developments happening around immediately. Government makes certain decisions, which impact people. After taking decisions, to gauge its impact on people to arrive at any conclusion whether it (decision taken) was right or wrong, it is imperative to get feedback off and on,” the CM said.

“At times it becomes difficult to get right or honest feedback within the government system as most of the time you come across such people who only applaud you. However, when such a meeting of civil society takes place, generally the people come and participate without any agenda and air their feedback and suggestions, which ultimately benefit us (government). This was the effort behind and objective of this meeting to sit with civil society members and elicit their feedback and suggestions which can be implemented as well,” he said.

“Yes, we hope to continue it (meeting) as an annual event. As I have stated during the meeting as well, at least twice a year, this meeting will be convened both in the Jammu and Kashmir regions. One meeting will be held during summers and second during winter months,” CM Omar said, in response to a question if such meetings would be a regular event.

About the major issues raised during the meeting, he said, “Many issues were raised and deliberated. However, it won’t be possible to explain every issue to you (media). As I stated in the meeting also, every issue has been jotted down. During the next meeting, the participants would be briefed about the outcome of issues raised (today) based on the Action Taken Report.”