Srinagar, May 11 : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday reiterated that the restoration of statehood remains the primary political goal of his government, even as he signaled a pragmatic approach to the timeline, stating that the process is “ongoing” and will not be resolved overnight.
“We wish we could have secured statehood in a single meeting. If that were the case, we would have achieved it long ago. The process is deliberate and continues,” CM Omar told news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS).
The Chief Minister is slated to travel to New Delhi for a crucial meeting with the Union Home Minister.
CM Omar defended the recent central order granting telecom powers exclusively to the LG. “Home, law and order, and security remain with the LG. If the situation deteriorates and mobile internet needs to be suspended, that order must come from the Home Department. Therefore, those powers should rest with him,” he clarified.
The Chief Minister addressed the controversy over alcohol shops in the Union Territory. He stressed that these establishments are strictly intended for individuals “whose religion permits the consumption of alcohol,” including non-resident tourists and workers from outside J&K.
He firmly asserted that his administration has not sanctioned any new liquor vends. “Our effort is to steer the youth away from the wrong path,” CM Omar said, pushing back against opposition allegations that his government is normalizing substance abuse.
The Chief Minister also dismissed criticism of a delayed cabinet expansion, stating that governance has not been impacted. “No one should claim the government is not working. Who becomes a minister, and when, will be decided after consulting the party high command at the appropriate time,” he added. (KNS)
