SRINAGAR: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Monday expressed hope that Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood would be reinstated in the near future, reaffirming the commitment made by the Prime Minister.
Speaking at the Republic Day celebrations at Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar, Choudhary said he was hopeful that the Union Territory would regain its former status, as envisioned by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah.
Highlighting development efforts, the Deputy Chief Minister said 200 new red buses had been introduced under the Smart City project to improve public transport. He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to regularising daily wagers and granting them permanent employment status.
Choudhary stated that the Chief Minister-led government was focusing on digital governance to enhance transparency and efficiency across departments. He noted that several bridges, incomplete for decades, had now been finished, improving road connectivity in the region.
Addressing funding challenges following the downgrade from statehood to Union Territory, he expressed hope that the Centre would release additional funds considering the region’s unique requirements.
The Deputy CM also underscored the importance of traditional crafts such as Basoli paintings, Kani shawls, and other handicrafts, describing them as crucial for the local economy and cultural preservation.
He added that steps were being taken to provide clean drinking water through specialised machinery and announced the establishment of a new waste management plant in South Kashmir to improve rural sanitation.
Expressing optimism about the forthcoming budget, Choudhary said it would focus on public welfare and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to women empowerment.
The 77th Republic Day is being celebrated across the nation today.
