Srinagar, Dec 17 : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said that humiliating a woman in public is unacceptable under any circumstances, while commenting on a recent incident involving Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and recalling a similar episode from a past election in Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking to reporters, Omar referred to an incident during his election period in which, he said, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mehbooba Mufti was involved in an episode at a polling station.
“Did you forget how Mehbooba Mufti Sahiba put down the burqa of a legitimate voter in the polling station during my election?” Omar Abdullah said, adding that the incident was regrettable then and remains wrong even today.
He said if any instructions were to be given, they could have been conveyed privately, but humiliating a person in front of others was not permissible anywhere, particularly when those involved hold public office.
Commenting on Nitish Kumar, the Chief Minister said the Bihar leader was earlier seen as a secular and sensible politician, but such incidents raise serious questions.
On the financial situation of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah said the Union Territory is not financially self-sufficient and continues to depend largely on the Government of India for its financial resources.
He said the dependency has increased after J&K became a Union Territory, as it no longer receives the same share of central taxes that it used to receive as a state, thereby increasing fiscal pressure.
Despite these challenges, the Chief Minister said the government has ensured financial discipline over the past 15–16 months. “If anyone can show that public money has been misused or handled irresponsibly, I will respond to it,” he said.
Addressing power and water shortages, Omar said reduced rainfall and snowfall have resulted in lower water levels in rivers, affecting power generation.
He acknowledged the hardship faced by people during the winter months and said the administration is working to reduce unscheduled power cuts.
He urged people to use electricity responsibly, advising against heating empty rooms or keeping immersion rods switched on throughout the night.
On tourism, the Chief Minister said as per Kashmir News Service (KNS) the government is working to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s position as a major adventure tourism destination, he said.
Omar said skiing remains a key attraction, while trekking, mountaineering, white-water rafting and paragliding are also being promoted with a strong focus on safety, he added.
The CM said adventure tourism activities would be introduced gradually and in a regulated manner to ensure safety and security for tourists and locals alike.(KNS)
