JAMMU, Dec 5: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary today said the distribution of powers is clear and they have powers with them while Advisor to Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani said the Cabinet has submitted a proposal to the Lieutenant Governor seeking reinstatement of December 5 as public holiday to mark birth anniversary of former Chief Minister and NC stalwart Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, popularly known as the Sher-i-Kashmir.
Two statements-one given in jammu by the Deputy Chief Minister and second in Srinagar by the Chief Minister’s Advisor-contradict each other with political observers questioning that if the Government has all powers why they couldn’t declare holiday on Sheikh Abdullah’s birth anniversary.
“Where is the question of distribution of powers? The issue is very clear. Who says we don’t have the powers? We have the powers. We have suspended two to three officers to show we have the powers,” Choudhary, a National Conference leader who won Nowshera Assembly seat stunning BJP UT chief Ravinder Raina in the Assembly elections, told reporters in Jammu after attending a function.
Almost at the same time, Nasir Aslam Wani, Advisor to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said in Srinagar that a formal proposal has been sent by the Council of Ministers to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, seeking the reinstatement of December 5 as a public holiday to honor the anniversary of the late Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah.
This day was cancelled as a holiday by the LG administration after August 5, 2019 developments.
During his visit to the grave of Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah at Hazratbal, Wani expressed optimism that the holiday will be restored by next year.
“The proposal has already been submitted to the LG’s office and we hope the people of Jammu and Kashmir will once again observe this important day,” he said.
Wani said Sheikh played a significant role in “liberating” Jammu and Kashmir from autocratic rule, shaping its political identity and securing fundamental rights, such as the freedom of speech for the people. Wani paid his respects to Sheikh acknowledging the lasting impact of his leadership and his transformative influence on the J&K’s modern history.
“On the one hand, the Deputy Chief Minister is boasting of all the powers and questioning those who are saying there are less powers with the Government since Jammu and Kashmir is now a Union Territory while on the other, the Chief Minister’s Advisory is dropping enough hints that the Council of Ministers is dependent on the Lieutenant Governor even for declaration of a holiday,” the observers pointed out saying the National Conference needs to tell its leaders not to speak in contradictory tones.
Cabinet, Ministers and Administrative Secretaries will be defined by ‘Business Rules’ once they are issued with approval of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. However, powers of the Lieutenant Governor are already defined.
At his media inter-action, the Deputy Chief Minister said the National Conference Government is committed to give good governance to the people.
“We will fulfil the purpose for which we have been given mandate. Neither we are enemy of anyone nor we have any enemy. We are accountable to the people. The schemes of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the Cabinet will be implemented on ground so that people get their rights,” Surinder Choudhary said.
To a question on atrocities on minorities in Bangladesh, he said the killings of innocents should be stopped and people should get right to live.
“We will discuss Bangladesh later, First we need our State and special status back,” the Deputy Chief Minister said.
