Says Similar bill as of PDP proposed by our MLA Tanvir, but don’t know whose bill will come up in House; we still have powers but hoping for more through restoration of statehood
Kulgam, Oct 17: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said that his government will not place hurdles in the Assembly against any bill that benefits the people of Jammu and Kashmir, including the land rights bill supported by PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti.
Speaking to reporters in Kulgam, Omar Abdullah as per news agency Kashmir News Corner — KNC said, “I don’t know what power you are talking about. We have the same power as we had a year ago. And we are hoping for more power. That’s why we are pushing for statehood.”
He said people of Jammu and Kashmir were promised that statehood would be restored within the first year of an elected government, but the delay lies entirely with the BJP-led central government. “We were thinking that within the first year itself, the central government would fulfill this promise. But for whatever reasons, Jammu and Kashmir is still deprived of statehood. Only the BJP and the central government can tell us. But we will not give up our efforts,” he added.
The Chief Minister further said that the decision to restore the traditional Darbar Move was taken three weeks ago in a cabinet meeting and later sent to the Lieutenant Governor for approval. “Starting the Darbar Move again was also a promise we made to our people. Three weeks ago, when the cabinet meeting took place, this decision was taken. As soon as we received LG sahib’s signature on the file, we issued the order,” he said.
Omar Abdullah also said the cabinet sub-committee headed by Education Minister Sakina Itoo had completed its work on reservation changes and the file was now being routed for final approval. “The cabinet approved that report. Now the memo is being prepared and through circulation, we will approve it and send it to the LG sahib. That was also a promise made to our people,” he noted.
Responding to Mehbooba Mufti’s statement on bringing a land rights bill in the Assembly, Omar Abdullah clarified that it is not the government but the Speaker who decides which bills are tabled. “Which bill comes to the Assembly and which does not is decided by the Speaker. Neither I, nor any other member, can dictate that. There is a procedure. But if any bill comes before the House which benefits the people of Jammu and Kashmir, my government will not create obstacles in its passage,” he said.
On Mehbooba Mufti’s specific proposal regarding land rights, Omar said that a similar bill had already been introduced by his party colleague Tanvir Sadiq. “He has also brought a bill suggesting correction of the Land Grants Act, which was amended after 2019. Now I don’t know whether Tanvir Sadiq’s bill will be taken up in the House or not.”
“Likewise, the bill PDP has prepared whether it will be tabled or not depends on the due procedure. But if it comes to the Assembly, my government will not oppose it,” Omar said. (KNC)
