SRINAGAR, Nov 17: Enhancing the quality of life and tackling urgent issues like rising unemployment have been the priorities of the Omar Abdullah-led government in Jammu and Kashmir during its initial month, stated a senior government official. Since assuming office, the administration has implemented various initiatives and secured an additional 300 MW of electricity supply to address the power shortages that have affected the Union Territory, especially during the severe winter season.
National Conference leader Omar Abdullah was sworn in as the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir on October 16, marking the first elected government in the Union Territory since the revocation of its special status in 2019. Shortly after taking office, he directed the police to avoid establishing ‘green corridors’ for his movements, a move aimed at reducing public disruptions caused by VIP traffic.
To tackle the challenges faced by the newly established Union Territory, Abdullah visited the national capital for discussions with senior central leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. In talks with Union Power Minister Manohar Lal, the Jammu and Kashmir chief minister successfully negotiated the additional power supply at standard rates, sidestepping the elevated emergency rates typically associated with such deals.
This extra electricity supply is anticipated to greatly alleviate the current power crisis in both the Kashmir and Jammu regions, where demand increases during winter and summer, respectively. The National Conference-led administration also passed a political resolution advocating for the reinstatement of statehood and special status for Jammu and Kashmir. This resolution, proposed by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, highlights the necessity of constitutional protections that safeguard the identity and rights of the local populace.
It calls upon the central government to initiate dialogue with elected representatives to restore these provisions, ensuring that the restoration process supports national unity while addressing the people’s aspirations. In a demonstration of his commitment to enhancing public services, Chief Minister Abdullah converted his official residence in Srinagar into a public grievance and welfare office to facilitate the resolution of citizen complaints, with a dedicated group of senior officials managing the process.
Abdullah has vowed to personally interact with the public on specific days, reinforcing a governance model focused on responsiveness. In a notable policy change, the Abdullah Government declared that the academic calendar for students up to Class 9 in Jammu and Kashmir will revert to the November-December schedule, replacing the previously adopted March session, following consistent appeals from parents and students, especially in the region’s winter zones.
The government has also eased the upper age limit for open merit candidates taking the Combined Competitive Exams. The age limit has been increased from 30 to 35 years, while the upper age limit for reserved category candidates is now set at 37 years and for individuals with physical disabilities at 38 years. This adjustment was officially confirmed in an order issued by the Jammu and Kashmir Government this month.
The ruling National Conference party praised this decision as fulfilling another electoral promise. The party had vowed to implement the Jammu and Kashmir Youth Employment Generation Act within the first three months of assuming power. This act aims to generate sustainable job opportunities for the youth, ensure that all vacancies in government sectors are filled within 180 days, and establish a robust policy for future employment creation. Abdullah also met with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to discuss approaches for improving Jammu and Kashmir’s financial situation, stressing the importance of boosting local revenue to lessen reliance on central funding.
The conversations, which officials described as “very positive,” emphasized the need to draw investment into the tourism, agriculture, and horticulture industries to generate employment opportunities and boost economic development. Abdullah’s engagement in the national capital takes place prior to the National Conference-led government’s first budget presentation after six years of central governance. The chief minister also expressed worries about the challenging fiscal circumstances in Jammu and Kashmir, appealing for an additional Central aid of Rs 6,000 crore to fill budget shortfalls for the 2024-25 fiscal year. The National Conference, having made a significant comeback by winning 42 out of 90 assembly seats in the recent elections in the region, has created an encouraging atmosphere for governance in Jammu and Kashmir as it embarks on this new phase with a renewed emphasis on the well-being of its people, according to the official.
