Assures regularization of daily wagers as government’s priority; Urges centre to restore J&K statehood without further delay
Diplomat Correspondent
Jammu,DD: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday while announcing restoring of cenrury old practice of Darbar Move, urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his cabinet colleagues to expedite the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, saying that the people have been waiting for the Centre’s promise to be fulfilled.
Addressing a press conference in Jammu, Omar Abdullah said, “From the day our government was sworn in, we have been trying our best to work for the people. It is a different experience to serve those very people on whose support we contested elections. We had hoped that in the first year itself, the Centre would deliver on its commitment regarding statehood, but that did not happen. Today, I want to tell Prime Minister Modi and his cabinet colleagues that statehood must be restored to Jammu and Kashmir at the earliest.”
Speaking on other issues, the Chief Minister said, “The biggest priority remains the regularization of employees. This is a historic step, and we are committed to ensuring it is taken forward.”
Omar Abdullah also confirmed that the cabinet has cleared the revival of the century-old practice of the Darbar Move.
“The file was sent to the Lieutenant Governor and has been approved. The government is reviving the practice soon,” he said.
The Cabinet had earlier recommended a return to the full-fledged Darbar Move in September this year. The tradition, initiated in 1872 by Maharaja Gulab Singh, involved shifting the capital between Jammu in winter and Srinagar in summer. It continued for over a century to ensure administrative access to both regions, but was halted by then Lt Governor Manoj Sinha in 2021. (KNC)
