Jammu: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah chaired a Cabinet meeting this evening in Jammu, reviewing key development initiatives and governance priorities, with a focus on accelerating infrastructure projects, strengthening public service delivery, and ensuring inclusive growth across J&K.
According to officials, the meeting assessed the progress of ongoing infrastructure projects and stressed the need to expedite their execution.
The Cabinet also discussed measures to strengthen public service delivery and ensure inclusive growth across Jammu and Kashmir.
The chief minister emphasised improving administrative efficiency and directed departments to speed up development works to benefit people across all regions of the Union Territory, they said.
This is the second cabinet meeting chaired by Abdullah here this month, paving the way for key decisions aimed at strengthening governance and accelerating development across the Union Territory.
The cabinet meeting focused on accelerating infrastructure projects, strengthening public service delivery, and ensuring inclusive growth across J&K, the Office of the Chief Minister said on X.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary and ministers, including Sakina Itoo, Javed Ahmed Rana, Javid Ahmed Dar and Satish Sharma, officials said.
Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo was also present.
The cabinet approved the construction of a major flyover in Srinagar, along with the introduction of appropriation bills in the Legislative Assembly.
Sources said, the cabinet gave its nod for the construction of the Raj Bagh flyover, connecting Sangarmal complex to Raj Bagh police station, at an estimated cost of Rs 144.36 crore.
The cabinet also sanctioned construction of Guzhama bridge in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, as well as a grid station in Bandipora district.
The cabinet also gave approval for the creation of 70 gazetted posts in the Health & Medical Education Department and 60 subordinate-level posts in the Judiciary.
According to sources, the cabinet also cleared the introduction of appropriation bills in the Legislative Assembly.
Meanwhile, warning people to refrain from panicking or crowding petrol pumps, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Thursday reiterated that there is no shortage of fuel, LPG or essential commodities and said he was attending a meeting with the prime minister on the matter.
“My earnest request is that people stop camping outside petrol pumps. If this situation continues, I may be forced to shut all petrol pumps for the next few days until this cycle of rumours stop,” he said on Thursday
Abdullah said unnecessary crowding at fuel stations, despite official assurances, would only worsen the situation.
“If people keep gathering outside petrol pumps based on rumours, it will unnecessarily create problems where none exist,” he said, reacting to long queues outside petrol pumps.
On Pakistan positioning itself as a potential mediator in the US-Israel conflict with Iran, Abdullah said any effort that helps end the war should not be opposed.
“The prime minister has scheduled an online meeting tomorrow at 6:30 pm, in which I will also have the opportunity to participate. It will specifically discuss the situation in Iran and neighbouring regions and what additional steps are being taken to ensure uninterrupted supply of essential commodities, especially if the conflict continues,” Abdullah told reporters here.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact on Friday with the chief ministers of all states, barring those which are going to polls, to review their preparedness and plans in the wake of the West Asia conflict.
Abdullah, who inaugurated the Jammu Marathon Expo here, warned that continued hoarding behaviour may force authorities to shut fuel stations temporarily.
“As of now, there is no shortage of anything-whether it is fuel, LPG, or other essential items,” Abdullah said, adding that the government has reviewed the situation thoroughly and found no need for rationing or restrictions.
Expressing concern over panic buying triggered by social media rumours, Abdullah said such behaviour could itself create artificial shortages.
“It is regrettable that when the government speaks, no one listens, but everyone believes rumours,” he said. “In a recent review meeting, it was clearly decided that there is currently no shortage of diesel, petrol or LPG cylinders, and no directive has been issued anywhere to reduce consumption.”
On Pakistan positioning itself as a potential mediator in the West Asia conflict, Abdullah said, “If Pakistan plays a role in ending the war, why should you or I object? If they have good relations with both Israel and Iran, and if dialogue through them helps stop the war, then I do not think anyone should have any objection.”
He added that what matters most is an early end to hostilities and stability in the region.
“For now, I want to assure everyone that there is no shortage of petroleum products across the country, and there should not be any shortage,” the chief minister said.
