Srinagar, Jan 2 : Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday reaffirmed his government's commitment to delivering on the promises made during the elections.
Addressing press conference , flanked by Dy CM Surinder Choudhary , cabinet ministers, Advisor Nasir Wani , chief secretary Atal Dulloo, Secretary Information M Raju , the Chief Minister expressed hope for the early restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood.
The major points of his press conference are below:
"I hope twice a year we can have these interactions without any artificial boundaries. I hope to be more open and accessible to you (the Press) in this term."
"Development will have to go hand in hand with land protection. For development, we will have to choose unproductive land. If the people of Pulwama collectively do not want NIT to be located there, we will find other areas. We will have to find a balance between development and protection of our productive land."
On Ruhulla Mehdi's protest "National Conference is a democratic Party, everyone has a right to put forth their voices. At one point it was impossible to even think of protesting but today they reached the CMs office, and after that met me. As far as reservations are concerned, the Sub committee has been formed, High Court is listening to the case too.
But the bigger cause is protection of our lands and jobs for ourselves and not the internal fight. Now that the Parliament session is about to start, I hope he leads a similar protest along with other leaders for the restoration of our statehood."
"If this kind of snowfall would have happened in 2009, I probably wouldn't have been able to handle it administratively the way I did. Taking all DCs and MLA's on board, cutting across Party lines."
"The electricity load that we have is much more than what we are supplying. The sooner our power projects which are being constructed here finish, would be able to supply more electricity. We can bank it in summer and then supply it in winter. Our AT&C losses are huge, nearly 50%. Some states have pushed it to less than 10%. We have to try and push it to less than 20%. 200 units free will be rolled out only after the areas are metered. How else would you measure the units? When we roll out this scheme in March-April, all can benefit from this scheme."
"On going exercise on the part of the government to put into place the business rules so that if there is any uncertainty, it can be cleared. It will be shared with legal luminaries, after that it has to go to the LG. The martyrs of 13th July and Sheikh Abdullah Sb do not need a holiday to remember their legacy. Almost everything we do is a part of it."
"The NC manifesto was based on a 5 year term, that said we are aware we are certain time frames that we are supposed to adhere. Some of the things we had promised- the resolution for statehood, resolution for special status and constitutional guarantees, the reversal of the winter school zone, we were going to go with the power announcement but we felt it was more important that supply had to be increased, public participation in governance has increased, we will give you the exact report card after the first 100 days."
"It is not for me to tell who should be a journalist and who shouldn't. I want to hand your Press Club back to you so that we can have a much more structured engagement on these issues. There will be full budgetary accountability of all ministries." "On the issue of Fire Services aspirants, the investigation process has to complete first. The matter is being investigated by the ACB, that cannot be bypassed. Those who have indulged in fraud must be punished and the genuine aspirants must get the jobs."
"Going to the court for statehood would be a fight. That should be our last option. Our first option is to remind the Central government of their promises. We have the right of recourse to courts." "Regarding communal harmony, people are doing more than anyone. Recently when the tourists were stranded, common people opened their doors to them. Government had given no such directions to people. People of J&K will save this Jammu and Kashmir & its diversity."
"The townships are a plan to decongest the Srinagar city. But no such plan or proposal has been put in front of me until this day." On instances of communal disharmony in the country "Unfortunately it is a reality that religion and politics are interconnected. I hope the PM doesn't succumb to the pressure and goes ahead with his Ajmer visit."
On the CID verification for employment and passports
"A militants sons is not a militant. This is not in consonance with principles of natural justice."
"Whether the Home Minister or the Prime Minister, they have promised their complete cooperation and that they would respect the mandate of the people of J&K. Those spreading rumours that I will now join NDA, I have changed my ideology, I cannot help that. I am here to work and I will work."
"To fulfil the aspirations of the people, that is our responsibility. We are hopeful that the statehood would be restored as soon as possible. I don't have a date, I wish I did. I would have started my Press conference with that only."
"It is important to respect all cultures. I wear a Sozni cap because it is a part of my heritage. I wore a Pagdi in Jammu because of my respect for all cultures. It does not weaken my faith."
On reservation - "The sub committee will function as stipulated. The HC decision and eventually the SC decision will however be binding on the sub-committee's findings."
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