SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Additional General Secretary and Member of Parliament Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan on Thursday defended the Omar Abdullah government’s two-year performance, saying it had delivered measures across key sectors despite limited powers under the Union Territory framework and administrative hurdles.
Ramzan said the government had taken steps in education, healthcare, horticulture, tourism, agriculture, social welfare, electricity, employment and infrastructure, while asserting that the unequal distribution of powers had slowed several decisions.
He said the government had moved a resolution seeking restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status during the first session of the Legislative Assembly after taking office. A separate resolution seeking restoration of statehood, approved by the Cabinet, was also passed by the Assembly with an overwhelming majority, he said.
Ramzan said these resolutions conveyed the demand for restoration of constitutional and democratic rights. He also referred to a recent Assembly resolution recalling the 2000 Autonomy Resolution and the 2024 resolution on special status, urging the Union government to fulfil its responsibilities.
Listing welfare measures, he said the government had restored the October-November academic calendar, passed the Private Universities Bill and forwarded its work on changes to the reservation policy for approval. He said the reservation-related file remained pending in the Lieutenant Governor’s office.
He said financial assistance for the marriage of poor and deserving families had been increased from ₹50,000 to ₹75,000. Free bus services for women, students and persons with disabilities, double the quantity of free ration for eligible households, 200 units of free electricity for Antyodaya Anna Yojana consumers and six free LPG cylinders were among the measures cited by him.
Ramzan also referred to a 100 per cent stamp duty exemption on property transfers through gift deeds among blood relatives and the government’s approval of an option for eligible employees covered under the New Pension Scheme to switch to the Old Pension Scheme.
On employment, he said recruitment was underway to fill vacancies in various departments and the upper age limit for candidates appearing in competitive examinations had been enhanced.
He said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had constituted a committee to examine the concerns of daily wagers and other temporary employees, but expressed regret that its report had not been submitted within the stipulated six months or made public even after a year.
Ramzan said efforts were also being made to improve electricity supply and strengthen roads, water supply, drainage, healthcare and other basic infrastructure. The introduction of smart bus services across districts was another step towards improving public transport, he added.
He argued that the government’s performance should be assessed in the context of Jammu and Kashmir functioning without full statehood powers, with authority over several administrative matters resting outside the elected government. Demanding accountability from elected representatives while denying them the requisite powers was contrary to democratic principles, he said.
Ramzan said restoration of statehood was essential for effective democratic governance and the protection of people’s rights. He reiterated the National Conference’s commitment to its manifesto promises, constitutional rights, youth opportunities and balanced regional development.
National Conference Provincial President Kashmir Advocate Showkat Ahmad Mir also spoke on the government’s two-year tenure, saying the formation of an elected government had brought renewed momentum to various sectors after years of what he described as an undemocratic system.
Provincial Secretary Syed Tauqeer Ahmad, Srinagar District President Pir Afaq Ahmad, Minority Cell Organiser Jagdish Singh Azad, Provincial Youth President Mushtaq Ahmad Mir, Ghulam Nabi Wani Telbali and Dr Mohammad Saeed Makhdoomi were also present.
