As Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah skipped the 6th Union Territory foundation day celebrations on Friday, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha slammed him saying that the region’s lack of statehood should not be exploited to justify any governmental inefficiencies.
The ruling National Conference (NC) skipped the celebrations. Party’s spokesman Imran Nabi Dar said the degradation of the state into a UT cannot be celebrated. The NC is seeking restoration of statehood of J&K.
Sinha underlined the significance of observing UT Day, noting that Jammu and Kashmir’s current status as a Union Territory is a reality.
The LG said the “existing powers of the elected government are sufficient for governance”. Without naming Omar Abdullah, he said “Some people are trying to mislead the public on this issue. I want to make it clear that the UT government already has sufficient powers and those powers must be utilised for public welfare instead of spreading confusion”.
He urged for efficiency, stressing that the people should not be misled on the issue of absence of statehood as a barrier to effective administration.
“Home Minister Amit Shah had said in Parliament that delimitation would happen first, then elections, and statehood at an appropriate time”, he said. There has been unnecessary conjecture on the issue of statehood restoration to Jammu and Kashmir despite the clarity given by the Union Home Minister, the LG said.
“An aspirational J&K UT was born on 31 October 2019 and People’s dream of peace and progress was fulfilled within a short span of time. Historic milestones were achieved in infrastructure and other sectors. All forms of discrimination were eliminated and social justice and equality were established”, he said.
The LG asked the people to stand united against the elements trying to disrupt the development process. He said attempts are being made to stall the speed of development and people must be united to see that development process continues unabated.
He also called upon the public representatives and government officials to discharge their shared duties towards ensuring peace, harmony and maintaining the momentum of J&K’s remarkable growth journey.
He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the dreams of Sardar Patel and Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee are being fulfilled by all-round development of Jammu Kashmir.
“If we look back at the seven decades of history, many people made sacrifices for this welcome change. The foundation of this journey was laid by Sardar Patel”, the LG said, adding that people are well aware of those who once conspired to divide the region.
He said that even “the President of India had no authority over an inch of land here. A few individuals ruled while thousands lived deprived. Some had built artificial walls that kept our sisters away from their rights”.
The LG said that the new generation has rejected violence. “Stone pelting has become history. People are now coming out spontaneously in support of peace and progress”, he remarked.
He said that terrorism survives only on ideology and public support. “When the society withdraws that support, terrorism breathes its last and that process has already begun”, he added.