Srinagar: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, the Chief Minister, criticized the current administrative structure, stating that the downgrading of the region’s status has negatively impacted administrative accountability and efficiency. Speaking at an event in Pulwama, where he inaugurated a bridge damaged in the 2014 floods, Abdullah compared his current role as chief minister under the Union Territory setup to his past experience when Jammu and Kashmir was a state.

“In the past, when I directed officials to complete a task, they would find multiple ways to accomplish it,” Abdullah said. “Now, under the Union Territory framework, the same officials come up with excuses to avoid those tasks.” He emphasized the differences in administrative functioning between being a chief minister of a state and that of a Union Territory.

Abdullah also reiterated his commitment to restoring the region’s statehood, stating that it is a significant step towards achieving their broader goals. He mentioned that a resolution was passed in the first cabinet meeting after the August 5, 2019 decision, which was personally handed over to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While acknowledging some dissatisfaction with the focus on statehood, he clarified that it is a means to an end rather than the ultimate goal.

The Chief Minister expressed optimism about the restoration of statehood, noting that six months have passed since the elections in the region. He shared details of a recent discussion with Indian Home Minister Amit Shah, expressing hope that statehood would be reinstated soon.

Abdullah further questioned the lack of employment safeguards for residents, referencing a law in Himachal Pradesh that reserves 70% of jobs in private industries for local residents. He advocated for similar provisions in Jammu and Kashmir and asserted that the region’s natural resources should remain under local control.