Omar Abdullah Assured of ‘Temporary’ UT Status for Jammu & Kashmir, Awaits Full Statehood Restoration

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reaffirmed that Jammu and Kashmir’s Union Territory (UT) status is only a “temporary phase” and expressed confidence in eventual statehood restoration. Addressing administrative secretaries in Srinagar, he highlighted assurances received at the highest levels in New Delhi that the governance structure of Jammu and Kashmir will undergo changes soon.

Key Points from Abdullah’s Address

1. Temporary Nature of UT Status: Abdullah emphasized that the UT status of Jammu and Kashmir is a temporary arrangement. He cautioned officials that this status won’t protect those who act counter to the integrity pledge administered to them, and warned against exploiting what he described as a “hybrid system of governance.”
2. Governance Model: Abdullah pointed out the current governance system as “hybrid,” involving Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha’s oversight on key administrative matters. He expressed concern that some may try to exploit this arrangement, but he urged officials to conduct themselves ethically, as statehood restoration would eventually close any loopholes.
3. Commitment to Statehood Restoration: Following his recent meetings in Delhi, Abdullah conveyed assurances he received from top government officials regarding statehood restoration. This comes after the J&K Cabinet’s October 16 resolution seeking restoration of statehood “in its original form,” which Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha subsequently endorsed.
4. Cabinet Resolution and Healing Process: The government issued a statement underscoring that restoring statehood would mark the beginning of a “healing process,” crucial for protecting the constitutional rights and identity of Jammu and Kashmir’s people. The J&K Cabinet authorized Abdullah to take up the issue with the Prime Minister, and after meetings in Delhi, he returned with optimism for eventual statehood restoration.
5. Upcoming Legislative Session: The newly elected J&K Assembly is scheduled to convene its first session on November 4. Abdullah’s address came as he returned from Delhi, urging government officials to lead by example and uphold integrity as Jammu and Kashmir prepares for its legislative activities under the current governance structure.