SRINAGAR: Jammu Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has expressed confidence that the long-awaited ‘Business Rules’ for Jammu and Kashmir will be released by the end of December or early January. Speaking to the media in Jammu, Omar said that efforts are underway to provide clarity in framing the rules, which will define the powers and responsibilities of the Chief Minister, Cabinet, Ministers, Administrative Secretaries, and others. The Lieutenant Governor’s powers have already been delineated, reports appearing in the media said.
Addressing concerns over delays in the rules’ release, Omar assured that progress is being made and expressed optimism that the rules would be finalised soon. He also fielded questions on the expansion of his Cabinet, which currently comprises only five Ministers, holding charge of multiple departments. “It is my job,” the Chief Minister remarked, suggesting that the Cabinet will be expanded in due course.
Rejecting opposition criticism of his government’s performance, Omar said that a comprehensive report card will be presented at the end of his five-year tenure. “The people gave us five years, not five days or five months,” he emphasised.
The Chief Minister also defended the revival of the bi-annual Darbar Move practice, which involves the relocation of the Civil Secretariat between Jammu and Srinagar every six months. The tradition, dating back nearly 150 years to the Dogra rulers, had been halted in 2021 but has now been reinstated. Omar accused the BJP of discontinuing the practice, alleging that the party committed significant injustices against the Jammu region.
“It was the BJP that stopped the Darbar Move and caused harm to Jammu’s legacy. They dismantled what was left by Maharaja Hari Singh, including the Darbar Move and the State Subject Law, despite their claims of respecting the Maharaja,” he said. Omar vowed that his government would rectify the wrongs inflicted by the BJP.
On the proposed ‘One Nation, One Election’ bill, Omar called for a detailed discussion in Parliament before the legislation is passed. The bill, recently approved by the Union Cabinet, aims to synchronise Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections. A separate bill has been drafted for Union Territories, including Jammu and Kashmir. If implemented, it could lead to an early assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir, cutting the term short by six months to align with the new schedule.
Omar stressed the importance of thorough parliamentary debate on the issue, contrasting it with the swift passage of the bill that abrogated Article 370 in 2019. “The National Conference will deliberate and form a clear stance before directing our Members of Parliament on how to vote,” he said.
