New Delhi, Dec 18: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah launched a pointed critique of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, alleging that the LG continues to retain control over several key institutions and sectors that by law should fall under the elected government. He said that despite the LG publicly claiming to handle only security and law and order, the reality on the ground shows otherwise.
Speaking to a media outlet, Omar Abdullah said the working relationship between the elected government and the LG administration remains different from that with the Government of India. According to him, the Centre has largely been supportive, yet multiple essential institutions have not been transferred to the elected dispensation.
The Chief Minister as per the news agency Kashmir News Trust said that although he serves as the Power Minister, he has no authority over the Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Corporation. He noted that during his earlier tenure as Chief Minister, he was the chairman of the Corporation, but the chairmanship continues to remain with the LG even under an elected government.
He further said that the statutes of Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University and the Islamic University of Science and Technology mandate that the Chief Minister should be their Chancellor. Yet, he said, the LG continues to hold these positions, which have not been transferred so far.
Omar Abdullah also criticised the LG administration for retaining control over the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages. He said that even though the Cultural Department is now with the elected government, the LG remains the Chairman of the Academy.
He alleged that the LG has appointed an IAS officer as Director Information and Public Relations despite the post belonging to the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Services cadre. According to him, this was done to deny the elected government control over the Information Department.
The Chief Minister said he now holds the Tourism portfolio but has no authority over the Tourism Development Authorities. He said the LG has even called a meeting of the Gulmarg Development Authority on December 21, questioning the basis on which the LG continues to head institutions directly linked to ministerial portfolios held by the elected cabinet.
Omar Abdullah said that if the LG is exercising these powers with the concurrence of the Central Government, it is a matter of concern. He added that the Centre has otherwise been cooperative, which leaves limited scope for complaint in that regard. The Chief Minister reiterated that the LG’s continued involvement in areas outside security and law and order amounts to interference in the functioning of the elected government. [KNT]