Will Fulfil Promises Made to People: Omar Abdullah
Srinagar 02 March 2025: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has reaffirmed his commitment to fulfilling the promises made to the people of the region. Amid discussions about the upcoming budget session and preparations for the holy month of Ramadan, Abdullah addressed various issues, including the BJP’s proposal for a shadow cabinet.
No Need for a Shadow Cabinet:
A day after the BJP announced its intention to form a shadow cabinet, Omar Abdullah stated that there is no need for such an arrangement in the country. Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, he said, “In our country, there is no arrangement of any shadow cabinet. The BJP has run its government. Now, let the public government work. There is no need for a shadow cabinet here. We have promised to resolve problems of people and we are going to fulfil all the problems.”
The BJP leadership, after holding a meeting in Jammu, said they have formed a group of legislators who would keep watch on the functioning of various departments in J&K. These legislators, who have served as ministers in various departments during the BJP-PDP coalition government, have been tasked with questioning the government about the functioning of departments inside and outside the assembly.
BJP leaders privy to the details said that the leader of the opposition in the assembly, Sunil Sharma, has been pivotal in forming the shadow cabinet. “The proposal about shadow cabinet was discussed in a workshop of legislators in Katra Jammu. It hasn’t been announced yet but will be made public very soon,” said a senior BJP leader.
In the 90-member house, the BJP has 28 legislators and is the largest party after the National Conference.
Meeting with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha:
Ahead of the budget session, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah met Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha at Raj Bhavan in Srinagar. They discussed issues related to the budget session, which begins in the winter capital Jammu on March 3. This will be the first budget of the elected government after the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of J&K into two union territories (UTs).
Review of Ramadan Arrangements:
Omar Abdullah also chaired a high-level meeting to review the arrangements made for the holy month of Ramadan, which commences on Sunday. According to the government spokesman, the CM stressed that key departments must deliver service, particularly the power supply, which must be prioritized. “People want, and we must strive, to ensure that there are no power outages during Sehri and Iftar time,” the spokesperson said. The CM directed officials to immediately address system issues or faulty distribution transformers (DTs) to avoid disruptions.
On water supply, the CM said the recent spell of snow and rainfall helped improve the situation but stressed the need for the supply of adequate potable water to households. The CM also directed officials to focus on cleanliness, particularly around mosques and shrines, and ensure traffic management and security arrangements.
Conclusion:
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s commitment to fulfilling promises made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir is evident in his proactive approach to addressing key issues. From rejecting the need for a shadow cabinet to ensuring seamless arrangements for Ramadan, Abdullah is focused on delivering effective governance and meeting the expectations of the people.
