“We want to keep promises, but decisions are delayed because files are not returned”
OnlyKashmir News Desk
The Omar Abdullah-led government has completed a year, but the period has been one of both hope and helplessness. Despite securing a clear majority in the assembly elections, the National Conference government faces a severe lack of power in the dual governance system, where important decisions are still stuck in the office of the Lieutenant Governor.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who took oath on October 16, 2024, has repeatedly admitted that his government is not able to function independently. “We want to fulfill promises, but decisions are delayed because files are not returned,” he said in a recent meeting.
According to sources, the LG office still holds key departments like law and order, land affairs and administrative rules.
Deputy Chief Minister Surendra Chaudhary has requested the return of files related to business rules, but there has been no progress.
National Conference members are also expressing anger over the limited powers. “We were elected to run the government, but the real decisions are being taken by bureaucrats,” said a senior leader.
Opposition parties have accused the government of weakness. Mehbooba Mufti said, “The government’s silence on important issues is a betrayal of public expectations.” The People’s Conference and the Apni Party have also called the government “failed to use its powers.”
A sluggish economy, unemployment and the dominance of bureaucracy have compounded the situation. Elected ministers say their input is being ignored in policy-making.
Omar Abdullah says he will continue to serve the people by staying within the system, even though his powers are limited. “We are not complaining, we have come to serve, but the fact is that files get stuck and approvals are delayed.”
Political experts say the tussle between the elected government and the unelected administration has shaken public confidence. The Omar Abdullah government is currently struggling to maintain a balance between the public mandate and limited powers, while restoring statehood and dignity remains its biggest test.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah revived the tradition of ‘Durbar Move’ introduced by Maharaja Gulab Singh on the completion of one year of his government.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday announced the revival of the traditional two-yearly ‘Durbar Move’ system after a gap of four years. The tradition was discontinued by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha in 2021.
Omar Abdullah told a press conference that the cabinet has approved the revival of the century-old tradition. “The file was sent to the Lieutenant Governor, who has given the approval,” he said.
Soon after the announcement, the Jammu and Kashmir government issued an order to shift government offices from Srinagar to Jammu for the winter season. According to the General Administration Department, five-day offices will be closed on October 31 and six-day offices on November 1 in Srinagar, while all departments will reopen in Jammu on November 3 (Monday).
According to the order, some offices will be shifted completely to Jammu while some will be shifted partially with one-third of their staff.
The Jammu and Kashmir Road Transport Corporation will provide buses to transport employees on November 1 and 2. The police will guard the convoys and cranes, empty buses and mobile workshops will also be present along the route.
The health department has made arrangements to provide medical facilities in Qazigund, Banihal, Ramso, Ramban, Chenni, Udhampur and Jhajarkotli.
The employees will be given Rs 25,000 as “Special Move Allowance”, however, those who do not move within the stipulated period will not get this allowance.
The government order has directed that no employee will occupy the official residence without permission. The Food and Supplies Department will ensure the supply of ration in the colonies of Jammu.
The “Winter Secretariat” in Srinagar will continue to function as usual at the Civil Secretariat. The working hours of the offices in Jammu will be from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm for the Civil Secretariat and from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm for other departments.
The tradition of Darbar Mo was introduced by Maharaja Gulab Singh in 1872 to keep the capital moving between Jammu and Srinagar depending on the weather.
The first year of the government is marked by “broken promises and deception.”
BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh accused the NC-Congress government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of “betrayal and failure”, saying the first year of the government was full of false promises and mismanagement.
He said that Omar and Farooq Abdullah had made big claims in the 2024 elections but not a single promise was fulfilled. “12 free LPG cylinders were promised, but no poor person got anything,” said Chugh. He said that the promises of free electricity, bill waiver and employment all proved to be hollow. “Instead of relief, people got higher bills, power cuts and inflation,” he said.
Chugh said that the talk of one lakh jobs and the Youth Employment Act remained limited to slogans, the promise of free transport for women also proved to be only on paper.
There was no progress on the promises of tourism, agriculture and education, neither did houseboat owners get help, nor did gardeners get protection like MSP.
On the rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits, Chagne said, “There is no plan, no land, no houses.” He alleged that “the NC government is only blaming Delhi, while doing nothing for the people.”
